Welcome to the Witness Blanket

Summary

In this heartfelt invitation, Carey Newman, of Kwakwaka’wakw and Sto:lo heritage, introduces the Witness Blanket, an art installation that reflects the painful history of residential schools in Canada. Through objects collected from various sites, the installation tells the stories of Indigenous Survivors, highlighting the lasting impacts of colonialism. Newman emphasizes the importance of bearing witness to these narratives, which encapsulate both trauma and resilience. Acknowledging the potentially triggering nature of the content, he encourages visitors to take breaks as needed, reminding them of the strength and endurance of Indigenous cultures.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The speaker, Carey Newman, is of Kwakwaka’wakw and Sto:lo ancestry, representing Indigenous heritage in British Columbia.
• 📜 The Witness Blanket is an art installation made from objects collected from various sites, including residential schools and cultural structures across Canada.
• 🕊️ The installation serves to recount the experiences and stories of residential school Survivors, shedding light on their trauma.
• 🧡 The stories shared through the Witness Blanket highlight both the heart-wrenching and courageous experiences of Indigenous peoples.
• 💪 The content emphasizes the strength and resilience of Indigenous cultures and communities amidst colonial trauma.
• 👁️ The role of a witness is crucial in Indigenous oral traditions; they observe, listen, remember, and share the stories of others.
• ⚠️ The content may be triggering for some viewers, and there are resources available to provide a safe space if needed.
• 🌿 The ‘Safe space’ icon allows viewers to step away from the experience and engage with calming scenes from nature.
• 🤝 The invitation to bear witness encourages active participation in understanding and acknowledging Indigenous histories.
• 🙏 The closing message expresses gratitude for visiting and encourages reflection on the shared stories.

Q & A

What cultural backgrounds does the speaker identify with?

The speaker identifies as being from the Kwakwaka’wakw and Sto:lo nations on their father's side and has settler ancestry of English, Irish, and Scottish descent on their mother's side.

What is the Witness Blanket?

The Witness Blanket is an art installation made from objects gathered from residential schools, government buildings, churches, and cultural structures across Canada, which reflects the experiences of residential school Survivors.

What is the significance of the stories told through the Witness Blanket?

The stories illustrate the trauma caused by colonialism and highlight the strength and resilience of Indigenous peoples and cultures.

What role does a 'witness' play according to the speaker's oral traditions?

In the speaker's oral traditions, a witness is responsible for watching, listening, remembering, and sharing important stories to ensure they are not forgotten.

Why might the content of the Witness Blanket be triggering?

The content may be triggering because it addresses the painful and traumatic experiences of residential school Survivors, reflecting the impact of colonialism.

What should visitors do if they feel triggered while exploring the Witness Blanket?

Visitors can select the 'Safe space' icon to immediately remove themselves from the experience and be taken to calming scenes from nature.

What does 'Gilakas’la' mean?

Gilakas’la is a greeting in the Kwak'wala language, expressing welcome or gratitude.

How does the speaker emphasize the importance of remembering the past?

The speaker emphasizes that bearing witness to these stories is crucial to acknowledging and remembering the past experiences of Indigenous peoples.

What is the overall theme of the transcript?

The overall theme is the invitation to explore the truth of Indigenous experiences through the Witness Blanket, acknowledging the trauma of colonialism while celebrating resilience.

What impact does the speaker hope the Witness Blanket will have on visitors?

The speaker hopes that the Witness Blanket will encourage visitors to reflect on the experiences of residential school Survivors and foster understanding and empathy towards Indigenous peoples.