The Tragically Hip To Receive Inaugural Courage in Unison Award

The Tragically Hip are the first recipients of a new award named after one of their songs — and their positive change in the Canadian music industry.

The Unison Fund has announced that the beloved band are the first recipients of the Courage in Unison Award. The Tragically Hip will receive the new honour at Unison's upcoming Holiday Schmoozefest fundraiser for Canadian music workers in need, which takes on Tuesday, December 10 at Liberty Grand in Toronto.

Fittingly, the name of the Courage in Unison Award is inspired by one of The Hip's most-loved songs, “Courage (for Hugh MacLennan).” Unison says that "the song reflects the profound spirit of authenticity, bravery, and purpose that the award embodies. Courage means staying true to oneself and speaking from the heart, and this award honours those who live and lead with such principles, inspiring others to do the same. The Award ensures that the values of compassion, courage, and community remain central to the Canadian music industry’s legacy."

Created in 2011, The Unison Fund is a non-profit charity that delivers life-saving emergency financial services and professional counselling to musicians and members of the Canadian music industry in need. The new Courage In Unison Award recognizes individuals, groups or organizations that drive positive change and "courage, leadership, and unwavering commitment to fostering a sustainable, united, and thriving music industry through voluntary and benevolent efforts."

This is not the first link between "Courage" and Unison. During the peak period of Covid-19 (2020-21), non-medical cloth masks emblazoned with that song title were sold through The Hip's web store, raising more than $55,000 in support of Unison. The Tragically Hip also sold Unison T-shirts to benefit the Fund, and band members wore these when accepting the Humanitarian Award at the 2021 Juno Awards. Unison also received proceeds from Hip member Gord Sinclair’s independent release of the band's then-unreleased track, “Get Back Again.”

"In one of its earliest forms, the word courage had a very different definition than it does today. Courage originally meant 'To speak one's mind by telling all one's heart.' Over time, this definition has changed, and today, courage is more synonymous with being heroic," Amanda Power, Executive Director of The Unison Fund, tells Billboard Canada. "In our work at Unison, we recognize it takes a lot of courage to ask for help, either with financial assistance or counselling services. Those who reach out to Unison do so with bravery in their hearts, so this award, to me, symbolizes the courage it takes to ask for help and the courage one has when unselfishly offering support as a pure act of kindness from one's heart.

"Charitable work has been at the heart of The Tragically Hip. Their unique and creative fundraising has inspired thousands of donations from both the band and their fans, reflecting their unwavering love and dedication to supporting the Canadian music community, and courage in their passion for helping others. For this, we honour The Tragically Hip and their Courage In Unison."

Upon learning they are the inaugural recipients of the Courage in Unison Award, the members of The Tragically Hip issued this statement:

"Musicians are the impetus, the reason that this business exists…managers, agents, promoters, and record companies exist for and because of the musicians. While musicians and their crew generate content and a whole vast industry around themselves, they are perpetually vulnerable — the last to get paid, often just surviving on their earnings and pouring any rare savings into the next project. Changes in the economic landscape, such as a rise in the price of gas or insurance, a health issue, or the chaos wrought by the pandemic can have truly catastrophic consequences for those living on the slimmest of margins.

“Unison has been there for musicians in need, and there is much need. The helping hand they provide should not go unnoticed or ever be taken for granted. The work done by the folks at Unison is of immeasurable value. We, The Hip, have been very fortunate in an all too often difficult industry, and as such, we are proud and honoured to be of service to Unison and to be the recipient of the Courage award.”

The Tragically Hip have a long history of philanthropy and generosity towards Canadian charities. Other charitable organizations the group has supported include Camp Trillium, the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation, Waterkeeper Alliance, War Child and the Special Olympics. The final Tragically Hip tour of Canada before bandleader Gord Downie's death in 2016 benefited The Canadian Cancer Society and the Sunnybrook Foundation to the tune of $1 million.

Hosted by Canadian television personality Carlos Bustamante and featuring music by DJ Lissa Monet, this year's Schmoozefest feature a rare collector’s item at its silent auction: an autographed photo of The Tragically Hip, signed by all five members in 2004.

Tickets for Holiday Schmoozefest are on sale now here. More information about The Unison Fund here.