Witness Blanket on display at Chapel Gallery. (Facebook/Chapel Gallery)

By Keaton Brown

a piece of history

Witness Blanket replica on display at Chapel Gallery

Jan 8, 2020 | 11:26 AM

A piece of Canadian history is currently on display at the Chapel Gallery in the Battlefords.

The Chapel Gallery and the Living Sky School Division have partnered in bringing the Witness Blanket to North Battleford from the Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg.

The monument is a photographic replica of the original Witness Blanket which is currently undergoing conservation treatment in Winnipeg where it will eventually be permanently on display at the CMHR Museum.

The Witness Blanket is a large scale art installation that weaves together hundreds of artifacts sourced from residential schools, churches and government buildings. Its aim is to pay tribute to survivors of colonization and residential schools, and symbolizes protection of Indigenous culture.

The Chapel Gallery will also be hosting two community conversations while the monument is on display.

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They are also asking survivors and the community to consider contributing a local display on the history of the Indian Residential School Era. These exhibitions will be held in the Window Gallery.

Leah Garven, curator for the Chapel Gallery, said they are including some local contributions to the monument’s exhibit.

“Already on display are local history educational panels about the Battlefords Industrial School, created by Benedict Feist from Battlefords Industrial School Association. Spiritwood Highschool students have created stepping stones to honour survivors and they will also be on display,” Garven said.

Garven said the Chapel Gallery gratefully acknowledges BATC – Community Development Corporation, the Saskatchewan Arts Board, and the City of North Battleford who have generously provided funding assistance in hosting this national exhibition.

They would also like to extend their thanks to their community partners, Kanaweyimik Child and Family Services, Battlefords Industrial School Association, and Sunchild Law.

Witness Blanket is on until Feb. 9. It will later travel to Calgary, Alberta to be displayed at the Mount Royal University.

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Keaton.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow