Join us for the largest Blanket Exercise ever! Kitchi means “really big” in Anishinaabemowin. The Blanket Exercise is an experiential way to build understanding of our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. The event will mark the 2nd Anniversary of the TRC’s Calls to Action and the 20th anniversary of the KAIROS Blanket Exercise. It will also provide a perspective on Canada 150 that is different from that of many of the events taking place across the country.
5:00 pm – Elder Opening and Special Guests
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm – Kitchi Blanket Exercise
KAIROS bus leaving Toronto on June 2. For more info visit: https://www.kairoscanada.org/kairos-bus-from-toronto-on-june2
For those unable to be in Ottawa:
**Find someone to go in your place. If you are not able to come to Ottawa, find a friend or relative in the area; ask them to represent you and wear a button or nametag that says so.
**Bring the intentions of the Kitchi Blanket Exercise into your worship: June 2 marks the second anniversary of the release of the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Take a special moment on either May 28 or June 4 to bring this focus into your worship service and refresh your commitment to reconciliation. Use this resource to help you get started.
Download the resource: https://www.kairoscanada.org/product/covenant-people-treaty-people-worship-resource
About the KAIROS Blanket Exercise: Participants are led 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 Métis peoples.
Trigger warning: The Blanket Exercise touches on many painful experiences – disease outbreaks, residential schools, 60s scoop, foster care, missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and loss of status. Strong emotions can surface.There will be health support on site.
For more info: http://www.kairosblanketexercise.org
We look forward to marking this anniversary with you!
A partnership between KAIROS and the Assembly of Seven Generations.