OPEN INVITATION TO ALL:
Please join us for a MASS KAIROS Blanket Exercise in front of the Elijah Smith Building (**permit pending**) on Sunday, June 5th at 3pm.
KAIROS Canada, Assembly of Seven Generations and local emerging leaders are working together to hold Mass Blanket Exercises across Canada between May 28 and June 5, 2016 on the lawns of Provincial and Territorial Legislatures. These dates were chosen to be on or around the one-year anniversary of the June 2, 2015 release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BLANKET EXERCISE:
The Blanket Exercise, developed by KAIROS, is based on major themes and findings of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. Its unique approach to decolonization combats racism and effectively educates people on the shared history of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Participants are asked to stand on blankets which represent Turtle Island (aka North America) and take a walk through time, learning and remembering pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization and resistence.
Please visit www.kairosblanketexercise.org for more information and videos on the Blanket Exercise!
HOW THIS IDEA CAME FORWARD:
The Assembly of Seven Generations conceptualized the idea of a mass, outdoor Blanket Exercise on Parliament Hill and worked with KAIROS to present it in 2015 as part of the TRC’s final national event. It was powerful, with 300 people participating. KAIROS and A7G want to spread the impact of that first Mass Blanket Exercise across the country.
Please bring a good heart and mind to this event. We look forward to seeing you there!
***** More details will continue to be added in the coming weeks. We will be calling upon the local community members to join us on this historic day of reconciliation and healing.