Witness Blanket

“Through the power of everyday objects and the collective truths they represent, the Witness Blanket reaches into the hearts of many.”
- Carey Newman

    • Photo credit: "CMHR: Aaron Cohen."

Bear witness and join an upcoming event: 

Opening Ceremony - October 4

Author Visit, David Robertson - October 10

Public Viewings - October 7, 21, & 28

Closing Ceremony - November 6
Register Today
Welcome to the Witness Blanket  
Stratford Hall is honoured to be hosting the Witness Blanket in October 2024. We invite you to join us in bearing witness in the fall. 

As a school, our decision to host The Witness Blanket was grounded in our commitment to reflection, education and community outreach and connections. We acknowledge we are situated on the traditional and unceded territory of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh). 

About the BLANKET 
Inspired by a woven blanket, the Witness Blanket is a powerful art installation. It features more than 800 items from sites and Survivors of residential schools across Canada. Each item tells a story of loss, strength, resilience, and pride. 

The Witness Blanket was created by master carver Carey Newman. It is a monument that recognizes the atrocities of the Indian Residential School era, honours the children and symbolizes ongoing reconciliation. This cedar-framed artwork, inspired by a woven blanket, includes hundreds of objects recovered from 77 communities across Canada where residential schools were located.
 
The Witness Blanket is currently undergoing conservation at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) in Winnipeg, after touring Canada for three years. Newman and the CMHR have partnered to create a reproduction of the Blanket for offer to additional venues, allowing its Stories and messages to continue to be shared.

The Making of the Witness Blanket 
More than 130 residential schools operated across Canada. They were a deliberate attempt to destroy Indigenous communities, part of a broader process of colonization and genocide. 

In 2013 and 2014, a team travelled nationwide to collect pieces of residential school history. 

The project resulted in the collection of 887 donated and reclaimed items. One by one they tell us about specific experiences in many times and places. Together, they tell us about the century-long history of residential schools across Canada.

  • Our Statements of Intention

    Our school is hosting the Witness Blanket as a response to the Calls to Action set out by the Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada. It is our hope that the event encourages visitors to bear witness and share with others what they have learned.

  • Intention 1: Community Engagement and Relationships

    We are hosting the Witness Blanket to invite ongoing dialogue, engagement and build relationships within our school community, our neighbourhood community and with the Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), xʷməθkʷəy əm (Musqueam), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations whose lands our school is situated.

  • Intention 2: Education of our Youth

    We are hosting the Witness Blanket to provide a space for learning and reflection for youth to deepen their understanding about the history of Canada and bear witness through a large-scale work of art.

  • Intention 3: Indigenous Perspectives

    In response to our commitment to the TRC as a school, part of our response to living that commitment is in hosting the Witness Blanket.

    As an IB World School we will work to ensure that all learners are developing an interest, appreciation and knowledge of Indigenous, knowledge, perspectives and culture.
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About the Artist
Carey Newman, whose traditional name is Hayalthkin'geme, is a multi-disciplinary Indigenous artist, master carver, filmmaker, author and public speaker. Through his father he is Kwakwak'awakw from the Kukwekum, Giiksam, and WaWalaby'ie clans of northern Vancouver Island, and Coast Salish from Cheam of the Sto:lo Nation along the upper Fraser Valley. Through his mother his ancestors are Settlers of English, Irish, and Scottish heritage.

Carey’s art practice highlights Indigenous, social and environmental issues and examines the impacts of colonialism and capitalism. His art harnesses the power of material truth to unearth memory and trigger emotions that drive positive change. He is also interested in engaging with community and incorporating innovative methods derived from traditional teachings and Indigenous worldviews into his process.

    • Photo credit: "CMHR: Doug Little."

Support

If you are a residential school Survivor or family member in need of emotional support, a national crisis line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week: 1-866-925-4419.
We acknowledge we are situated on the traditional and unceded territory of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh). 
3000 Commercial Drive
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