The Mawita’mk Society and the Community Sector Council have partnered to bring the KAIROS Blanket Exercise to We’koqma’q First Nation as part of our shared and ongoing commitment to reconciliation, beginning with the unlearning and learning about Canada’s shared history. This event is one of a variety of events in the community to celebrate the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Together, Elders Vanessa Marshall, Heidi Marshall, and Karen Bernard will facilitate this powerful and interactive session. Attendance is free, however participants must pre-register. Space is limited to ensure COVID safety of participants.

Time: 1:00 – 4:30 pm

Cost to attend: FREE but must be pre-registered

Location: 9203 Trans Canada Highway 105

What is the Blanket Exercise?

In 1996, the Aboriginal Rights Coalition worked with Indigenous elders and teachers to develop an interactive way of learning the history most Canadians are never taught. The Blanket Exercise was the result; it has since been offered thousands of times across the land we know as Canada. The Blanket Exercise is based on using Indigenous methodologies and the goal is to build understanding about our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada by walking through pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization and resistance. Everyone is actively involved as they step onto blankets that represent the land, and into the role of First Nations, Inuit and later Métis peoples. By engaging on an emotional and intellectual level, the Blanket Exercise effectively educates and increases empathy. Immediately following the Blanket Exercise is a talking circle hosted by community Elders and the facilitators of the Exercise.

COVID Safety and Protocol

Though restrictions will be lifting over the next short while, the organizing committee is maintaining a high degree of caution around COVID to protect the safety of all participants including Elders. We ask that participants only register and attend if they are double vaccinated. Participants will be required to wear a mask throughout the exercise, with the exception of those with health issues preventing them from wearing one for extended periods of time. We will have contact tracing on-site, as well as hand sanitizer, and we’ll maintain 6’ distancing throughout the event.

For more information, please contact Rose Sylliboy at 902-623-1447 or rosie@mawitamk.org or Nicole Cammaert at (902) 549-0309 or ncammaert@ions.ca