MEDIA ADVISORY: KAIROS brings unique mass history lesson to provincial legislatures


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Thousands expected to participate in Mass Blanket Exercise in support of Education for Reconciliation from coast-to-coast

Ottawa, ON – KAIROS Canada and its partners will engage Canadians in a unique history lesson at seven provincial and territorial legislatures, and on Parliament Hill, from May 28 to June 5, marking the one year anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)’s release of its Calls to Action (June 2). The KAIROS Blanket Exercise is a visual and participatory activity that helps people of all ages learn about Canada’s history from the perspective of Indigenous peoples.

These Mass Blanket Exercises, held in St. John’s, Charlottetown, Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Regina, Edmonton and Whitehorse, are part of KAIROS’ Winds of Change campaign, launched last November, to help advance the TRC Calls to Action. KAIROS is specifically advocating for Call #62.i, which urges provincial governments to ensure that all students learn about Indian Residential Schools (IRS), Treaties, and the contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples to Canada.

Since the fall, KAIROS members and supporters from across the country have gathered thousands of signatures on petitions in support of Call to Action #62.i. Local members will deliver these petitions to Education Ministers and other provincial representatives this spring and fall.

The Canadian government funded the church-run residential schools for 130 years. Former students, their families, and communities continue to suffer inter-generational trauma from the numerous abuses that Indigenous children experienced during this national project of assimilation. The KAIROS Blanket Exercise explores the historical milestones and impacts of colonization in Canada, including the Indian Residential Schools system.

“People who participate in the Blanket Exercise often ask why they didn’t know about this history,” says Jennifer Henry, Executive Director of KAIROS Canada. “Implementing TRC Call to Action #62.i will help end this ignorance in a generation and contribute to reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.”

The B.C.-Yukon KAIROS chapter will mark the one year anniversary of the release of the TRC’s Calls to Action by reading aloud all 94 recommendations on the steps of the Legislature in Victoria, B.C. on June 2.

Media are invited to participate in the exercises and interview spokespeople.

CHARLOTTETOWN: Mass Blanket Exercise
May 28; 12:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Province House (Prince Edward Island)
Media Advisory: http://www.kairoscanada.org/media-advisory-mbe-charlottetown
Details: kairoscanada.org/event/charlottetown-kairos-mass-blanket-exercise

TORONTO: Mass Blanket Exercise
May 30; 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Queen’s Park (North of the Legislature)
Media Advisory: http://www.kairoscanada.org/media-advisory-mbe-toronto
Details: kairoscanada.org/event/toronto-kairos-mass-blanket-exercise

OTTAWA: Mass Blanket Exercise
May 31; 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Parliament Hill
Media Advisory: http://www.kairoscanada.org/media-advisory-mbe-ottawa
Details: kairoscanada.org/event/2nd-mass-blanket-exercise-ottawa

REGINA: Mass Blanket Exercise
June 1; 2:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Christ Lutheran Church (4825 Dewdney Ave, Regina, SK)
Details: kairoscanada.org/event/regina-kairos-mass-blanket-exercise

ST. JOHN’S: Mass Blanket Exercise
June 2, 7 p.m.
Great Hall: Queens College, Memorial University (210 Prince Philip Dr., St. John’s, NL)
Details: http://www.kairoscanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MBEPoster-NL.pdf

VICTORIA: 94 Calls for Justice: The Journey to Reconciliation starts here
June 2 @ 11:30 – 1:00 a.m.
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
Media Advisory: http://www.kairoscanada.org/media-advisory-94-calls-justice
Details: kairoscanada.org/event/victoria-kairos-mass-blanket-exercise

EDMONTON: Mass Blanket Exercise
June 2 @ 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Edmonton City Hall
Details: kairoscanada.org/event/mass-blanket-exercise

WINNIPEG: Mass Blanket Exercise
June 4 @ 10:00 a.m. – noon
Manitoba Legislative Building
Details: kairoscanada.org/event/winnipeg-kairos-mass-blanket-exercise

WHITEHORSE: Mass Blanket Exercise
June 5 @ 3:00 p.m.
Yukon Legislative Assembly
Details: kairoscanada.org/event/mass-blanket-exercise-whitehorse

About the Blanket Exercise:

In 1996, the Aboriginal Rights Coalition (which became part of KAIROS) worked with Indigenous elders and teachers to develop an interactive way to learn the history most Canadians are never taught. KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives has since offered the Blanket Exercise thousands of times, presenting Canada’s history from the perspective of Indigenous peoples.

The exercise uses blankets to represent the lands of what is now called Canada, and the distinct cultures and nations which live on those lands to this day. Participants represent the First Peoples. When they move onto the blankets, they are taken back in time to before the arrival of the Europeans. The Narrator and a European (or two) work with the participants to read a script while the exercise goes through the history of treaty-making, colonization and resistance that resulted in the country we today call Canada.

About KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives

KAIROS is a faith-based social justice organization of eleven Canadian churches and religious organizations. It focuses on Indigenous rights, international human rights and ecological justice. We deliberate on issues of common concern, advocate for social change and join with people of faith and goodwill in action for social transformation.

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Media Contacts:

Cheryl McNamara
Media Coordinator
877-403-8933 x 246
416-875-0097 (mobile)
cmcnamara@kairoscanada.org


Filed in: Indigenous Rights, Media Releases

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