KAIROS Blanket Exercise

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About

In commemoration of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre (BCM&CC) in partnership with Saugeen First Nation (SFN) and Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation will host Blanket Exercises during the month of September to provide opportunities for our youth, educators and the community to increase their awareness and commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation through an immersive experience.

The Indigenous Blanket Exercise is a participatory and visceral experience of the impacts of colonization on Indigenous peoples, which includes their relationship with the land, air, and water. It builds relationships, community, and empathy through a shared experience.

Developed by KAIROS Canada, the Indigenous Blanket Exercise uses blankets to represent Turtle Island or other regions that are home to Indigenous peoples. Participants represent Indigenous peoples – each with their distinct cultures and nations – who continue to live on these lands today. When participants step onto the blankets, they are taken back in time to before the arrival of the Europeans. Working from a script, the facilitation team journey with the participants through the history of treaty-making, colonization, resilience, and resistance.

Responding to the 1996 Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Canada, the Aboriginal Rights Coalition (which became part of KAIROS Canada in 2001) worked with Indigenous elders and educators in 1996 to develop an interactive way to learn the history that most people are never taught.

Duration: 3 hours including a Talking Circle. Refreshments will be provided. Attendees are asked to bring their own blanket to participate in this exercise.

Proudly presented by The Department of Canadian Heritage.

WARNING: This session contains subject matter that may be disturbing to some people and may be triggering. Support resources will be available or you can call 1-866-925-4419 or your local crisis line for counselling and support.

Links

• See full event details brucemuseum.ca

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Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre

The Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre offers adult and children’s programming, special events, and is home to the Bruce County Archives & Research Room. Our mandate is to preserve and make available the documentary heritage of Bruce County.

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