Blanket Exercise, Teaching Indigenous History.

Blanket Exercise, Teaching Indigenous History.

An exercise that is being done more and more throughout much of Canada at different various places, the blanket exercise is a tool that tells a story of how the First Nations People lost their lands to the early settlers.

Meant to educate and increase an individual’s empathy for others, the blanket exercise is taught from an Indigenous perspective. The blanket exercise can take a plunge into some pretty uncomfortable water but rest assure, it is for a greater good.

So what type’s of things will be talked about? what exactly happen’s during the blanket exercise? Lets explore more about this interesting exercise.

History of the Blanket Exercise

The KAIROS Blanket Exercise program is a unique, interactive, and participatory history lesson developed in collaboration with Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers, and educators.

In response to the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in 1996, The KAIROS Blanket Exercise was developed. This new exercise recommended education about Canadian-Indigenous history as one of the key steps to reconciliation.

The KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE) goes over more than 500 years of history in a 90-minute experiential workshop. the aim of this workshop is to foster understanding about our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

The Exercise has been updated several times with new information since its creation, such as the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation final report.

What Happens During The KBE?

During the KBE, participants walk on blankets that represent the land. They then play the roles of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

They are given scrolls and carrying cards which ultimately determine their outcome as they literally ‘walk’ through various situations that include pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization, and resistance.

 Participants are guided through the exercise by trained facilitators, aloud, the read the script, and assume the roles of European explorers, settlers and Indigenous Elders or knowledge keepers.

The exercise ends with a debriefing, conducted as a “talking circle”, during which participants talk about what they learned, how they felt, ask questions about the exercise, share personal insights, and to deepen their understanding.

Since its creation in 1997, Thousands of KAIROS Blanket Exercises, have been done in Canada and around the world. By engaging participants on both an emotional and intellectual level, the exercise is able to both educate and create a better understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

Why do the Kairos Blanket Exercise?

Historical issues concerning Indigenous peoples are usually
taught from a Western European perspective. It is important
that both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people also be
presented with an Indigenous perspective.

An Indigenous perspective include the celebration and acknowledgment of
Indigenous peoples as vibrant, economically self-sufficient
nations. An Indigenous perspective does recognize the destructive
effect of federal policies and programs has had on Indigenous nations.

The KBE provides an opportunity for people of all
ages, backgrounds to undergo a factual and emotional
experience of historical events from a First Nations Perspective. Also to learn about our history and to form a common
understanding.

Concepts To Review Before Conducting The Blanket Exercise

What does it mean to be a sovereign nation?

A sovereign nation is a nation that has the right to self-determination, self-governance, and has a territory that is recognized by
other nations. While European nations focus on the protection
of individual rights, the Indigenous nations focus on collective
rights to land, language, spiritual traditions, and self-governance, to name a few.

Indigenous people rely on strong nations for their wellbeing. Nations protect and nurture collective rights through
which an individual finds cultural meaning and identity.

The Indigenous have always struggled for sovereignty and many believe that the recognition of Indigenous nationhood
will enhance, not diminish, Canadian sovereignty.

What is a Treaty?

Treaties are internationally binding agreements between
sovereign nations. Hundreds of treaties of peace and friendship
were signed between the European settlers and First Nations People
during the period prior to Confederation.

These treaties promoted peaceful coexistence and the sharing of
resources. After Confederation, the Europeans pursued
treaty-making as a tool to acquire vast pieces of land. The treaties 1 through 11, were signed between First Nations and the Crown after Confederation.

For Indigenous peoples, treaties outline the rights and
responsibilities of all parties to the agreement. In the traditions
of Indigenous people and treaty-making, these are oral agreements. In
addition, they are considered “vital, living instruments of relationship” that involve all Canadians.

What is the difference between equity
and equality?

Equality means that each person gets the same treatment or the
same amount of something. It involves systematically dividing
something into equal parts. Equality aims to promote fairness,
but it requires everyone to start from the same place.

Equity, on the other hand, recognizes that not everyone has the
same needs. Equity is about justice and a fair process that leads
to an equally good outcome. It takes into account the injustices of the
past and how they have placed some in positions of privilege
while others face significant barriers to achieving well-being

How The Kairos Blanket Exercise is Designed To Work?

The activity begins with blankets arranged on the floor to represent Canada before the arrival of European settlers. Participants representing Indigenous peoples move around on the blankets as if they are using and
occupying the land. The facilitator then reads from a script while someone
playing the role of a European(s) joins and interacts with those on the
blankets.

The script traces the history of the relationship between
European settlers and Indigenous peoples in Canada. Participants
respond to various cues and read prepared scrolls. At the end of
the Blanket Exercise, only a few people remain on the blankets,
which have been folded into small bundles and cover only a
fraction of their original area.

What Is A Talking Circle And How
Does It Work?

Talking circles are traditional teaching and a way of
communicating, and a way of demonstrating respect
for others.

After the Blanket Exercise, the facilitators will invite participants to sit in a circle to discuss and reflect upon the activity.

In a circle, everyone is equal and has a voice. There is no hierarchy. Each individual is given an opportunity to talk about his or her opinions and feelings without being interrupted.

The facilitator and/or Elder will open and close the circle. Many times a talking stick, feather, or stone during the circle to pass to each person who speaks.

The group should understand that the person holding the talking stick and
speaking should be listened to with courtesy and respect. A person may disagree with another’s opinion, but they must wait to express themselves during their turn to speak only. When the speaker passes the talking stick to another person in the group, it is a signal for that other person to express their thoughts and ideas.

With the Blanket Exercise, it is always a good idea that you have an Elder present to provide support as the circle can become emotional, especially if the residential school survivors are participating. It is important to be mindful of your audience and make sure that you create a safe and supportive space for people to share their feelings.

Additions To The Script

It is a good idea to make the Blanket Exercise script specific
to the territory where your school or group is located. This could be done by researching online or historical documents.

Writing scrolls or additions to the script with
information about the local history or current situation. For
example, in the part of the script that refers to residential
schools, a scroll could be added about a residential school that previously
operated nearby.

It is important to be respectful when doing this. If the additions you are
making, are not part of your own story, be sure to work in
collaboration with the appropriate people who you feel are.

Need To Find Out More Info?

To find out more about The KAIROS Blanket Exercise program have included the website in order to learn more.

https://www.kairoscanada.org/product-category/blanket-exercise

Have we left anything out let us know in the comments below.