Every object woven into the Witness Blanket tells a story. A broken angel figurine. A weathered child’s shoe. A yellow plastic “mush hole” bowl. Each of these three objects were meticulously reclaimed from the sites of former residential schools. All three, and hundreds more, are reminders of stories that should not be forgotten. And thanks … Continue reading 1 million Canadians and counting reached with innovative resource sharing truths of the residential school system
Making bannock with Chef Patrick
This past June for Indigenous History Month, we invited Chef Patrick to teach us and our interpreter Blair a simple and delicious recipe to make bannock over a campfire. “There’s a metaphor in this. For the Indigenous spirit, the bannock, it is resilient. It goes over the fire. It’s strong but it’s soft at the … Continue reading Making bannock with Chef Patrick
No more stolen sisters
The Museum marked National Day of Awareness for MMIWG2S+ with two special displays. Items from the sacred bundle of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people were shared in the Museum’s Level 1 Gallery. The sacred bundle includes hundreds of artistic expressions created by family members, friends, survivors, artists … Continue reading No more stolen sisters
Awasisuk on display at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Stitched with vibrant colours, stories and teachings by dressmaker Amanda Grieves Bradburn, the jingle dress Awasisuk is now on display in the Museum’s Community Corridor. “When the news of discovering unmarked graves began to circulate, I saw a good deal of unhealed hurt and intergenerational trauma surface in many people in my community,” Amanda says. … Continue reading Awasisuk on display at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Sharing Indigenous stories through theatre
On February 21, hundreds of students gathered to watch New Blood: A Story of Reconciliation at the Museum. The widely acclaimed theatre performance blends Blackfoot and contemporary music and dance to celebrate Blackfoot history and traditions. The performance tells the story of Chief Vincent Yellow Old Woman, his experience as a child in residential school, … Continue reading Sharing Indigenous stories through theatre
New digital resource shares the stories and voices of Survivors of residential schools
This new interactive website brings the stories and voices of Survivors of residential schools to every corner of our country and beyond. Visit WitnessBlanket.ca to hear first-hand accounts from Survivors and explore The Witness Blanket. A large-scale work of art created by Carey Newman, The Witness Blanket contains hundreds of items reclaimed from residential schools, … Continue reading New digital resource shares the stories and voices of Survivors of residential schools