Residents will have an opportunity to learn about the history and lasting impacts of Canada’s residential school system when the Witness Blanket exhibit opens at Lloydminster Museum & Archives on Nov. 1.
An opening ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 1 from 1 to 3 p.m. and will include music, speeches, refreshments and an opportunity for visitors to explore the exhibit. Organizers say the event will provide a space for reflection on the experiences of residential school survivors and the ongoing importance of truth and reconciliation.
Created by Indigenous artist Carey Newman
The Witness Blanket was created by Indigenous artist Carey Newman, whose traditional name is Ha-Yalth-Kin-Geme. Inspired by the residential school experiences of his father, Victor Newman, the original installation brings together 887 items collected from residential schools, churches, government buildings and cultural sites across Canada. Each piece represents part of a larger story of loss, resilience, reconciliation and cultural identity.
Between 2013 and 2014, Newman and his team travelled across the country gathering donated and reclaimed objects connected to survivors and communities affected by the residential school system. The completed artwork has become one of Canada’s most recognized reconciliation projects.
The exhibit coming to Lloydminster is a photographic replica of the original Witness Blanket, which remains in Winnipeg. Through high-resolution images, visitors can experience the installation and learn the stories behind its many objects.
Organizers say the exhibit encourages reflection on remembrance, truth and reconciliation while recognizing the strength and resilience of Indigenous Peoples.
The exhibit will be on display at Lloydminster Museum & Archives from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31. For more information, visit the City of Lloydminster’s exhibits page.
