I frequently ask myself, how could I have lived almost all of my life in Canada and never became acquainted with neighboring First Nation people or their struggles? A few years ago, I was blessed with a visit to a good friend in the Yukon and came to know some wonderful women, respected elders of their people. They were very warm and I was welcomed into the fold as if I was family, not the non-indigenous stranger that I really was. I am still deeply touched by their total acceptance and kindness. Since that time I have come to learn more about the First Nation people in this country, and I have wept. We need to have our eyes opened to the injustices and struggles of our dear First Nation neighbors.
One way I/we can contribute to building awareness in others is through an historical re-enactment known as the Blanket Exercise. The Blanket Exercise is an experiential learning tool that helps participants understand how the arrival of European settlers impacted the Indigenous people who had lived here long before these colonists arrived. It traces the history of the relationship between them, exploring how and why their relationship was damaged over the years.
The Blanket Exercise is a teaching tool designed to help both Indigenous and non-indigenous groups gain a more truthful knowledge of our early Canadian history (i.e. the history of the relationship between the Indigenous People in Canada and the European settlers). In this interactive workshop, the participants take on the roles of the Indigenous peoples and some Europeans. The narrator guides the group through the story as the roles are mimed. The participants walk around on the blankets, which represent the land. It becomes obvious as the story unravels, that the once friendly and collaborative relationship between the Indigenous and non-indigenous people gradually erodes as the land is taken through broken treaties and laws made by the Europeans. This is visibly illustrated by the blankets being folded smaller, the participants leaving the blankets because they have been isolated from each other through the Residential school system, or have died off due to the hazardous health conditions to which they were intentionally exposed. This allows all participants (whether indigenous or non-indigenous) to know the reality and the impact of the injustices experienced by native peoples. A discussion session follows.
Awareness of this untold part of our history can hopefully lead to constructive action that will help us build alliances and create the trust necessary to repair this broken relationship. Those of us who are Non-Indigenous can contribute to the ongoing work of reconciliation by establishing and maintaining respectful relationships with our First Nation neighbours. First we must learn how to reconcile our privileges, our education, our judgment and our unfair stereotypes with the harsh reality experienced by Aboriginal peoples. Reconciliation also calls for personal, group, community and political ACTION. Broadening our own awareness and changing the way we educate our children is an important step toward healing our broken relationships. We hope that The Blanket Exercise event can help in a small way to bring this about.
Dara Hartman, CSJ Associate
Karen Rawlings, CSJ Associate
Note: In light of the Truth and Reconciliation Report that came out from the Royal Commission recently, the Blanket Exercise, created by Kairos, http://www.kairoscanada.org/product-category/blanket-exercise has been offered in many cities and towns for anyone who wishes to experience the more accurate historical story of the relationship between the Indigenous People in Canada and European settlers in a creative and experiential learning format. Look for one in your area.