The Witness Blanket was unveiled Thursday at the RCMP Heritage Center in Regina.
The piece of travel art inspired by the original woven blanket, created by artist Kerry Newman, comes from the Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg.
The Heritage Center piece is one of two replicas of the original blanket.
It represents hundreds of reclaimed items from residential schools, churches, government buildings and traditional structures across the country.
“To say it’s powerful is an understatement,” said RCMP Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore. “Seeing those firsthand remnants and reminders of residential schools, and even more powerfully, the stories of elders speaking of their experience.”
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The Witness Blanket is made up of over 800 items, each telling a different story. When put together, they aim to convey the overall legacy of residential schools in Canada.
70 items are from Saskatchewan residential schools.
The Witness Blanket is composed of over 800 items, each of which tells a personal story. When put together, they aim to convey the overall legacy of residential schools in Canada.
Troy Charles – Global News
“We have to find ways to counteract the cycle of trauma,” said David Alexander Crowe, a student at Scott Collegiate.
Crowe helped the board bring the exhibit to the Heritage Center, participating in discussions on its implementation in the most respectful way possible.
“To heal the cycle of trauma, you must first start with the youth and motivate the youth through education with elders.”
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She said she hoped the exhibition would bring healing to the many family and friends of hers who faced abuse in residential schools.
“This exhibit is part of our strategy through truth and reconciliation,” said Tara Robinson, CEO of the RCMP Heritage Centre.
The Heritage Center worked with a large advisory group to develop the opening of the exhibition.
“We wanted to do this through the lens of learning and education, with a lot of respect and compassion,” Robinson said.
Blackmore said that the only way to work towards reconciliation is to accept the past with truth.
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The RCMP is currently seeking to recruit Indigenous officers to help serve future generations.
“So they can be defenders of their communities, their nations, and recognize the importance of that,” Blackmore said.
The Witness Blanket will be on display at the Heritage Center for five weeks from Thursday and can be viewed seven days a week.
Crowe said, “At the end of the day, we can grow as a society and learn from our mistakes and be human again.”
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