A two-day Truth and Reconciliation event is being planned for Hope, with immersive and educational experience planned around town.
The event, called Eyém Tset: We Are Strong takes place on March 22 and 23 at four locations, the Legion, the Art Machine, the Career Cafe and the District of Hope office. Opportunities include a chance to learn a bit of Halqu’eméylem, a panel discussion, an artisan market and hands-on workshops.
One of the highlights of the event will be the opportunity to take part in the KAIROS Blanket Exercise.
This three-hour exercise takes place at the District of Hope office at noon on March 22. Registration is required by contacting the Hope Inclusion Project.
The blanket exercise is an experiential teaching tool designed to build awareness and understanding of our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. This is achieved by having participants literally walk through situations that include pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization and resistance. Participants step onto blankets representing the land, and into the role of First Nations, Inuit and later Métis peoples.
It is a popular exercise that many educators, politicians, public servants, decision makers and community members have had the opportunity to experience over the past several years.
“The Blanket Exercise is essential and serves as a community tool that links participants with the past, increasing their knowledge of what took place and how it needs to be understood. From this experience, the participant can draw their own conclusions on how to move forward with reconciliation,” an Indigenous & Northern Affairs Canada employee is quoted as saying.
But there are many other ways to engage with this Hope Inclusion Project event.
On March 22, the Hope Legion (344 Fort St.) will be busy from the opening ceremonies at noon, with events through to 6 p.m. An Indigenous Artist Market will run noon to 6 p.m., and there will be a performance by Maddi Krulicki at 3 p.m.
At 4 p.m., there will be an artisan story hour, which is an opportunity to hear some of the market’s artisans share their personal journey and connection to their artwork.
There are two drum-making workshops at the Art Machine (357 Fort St.) that day as well, but both are currently full with a waitlist being created. One runs from noon to 4 p.m., and one runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Then on Saturday, March 23, the market continues at the Hope Legion from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a children’s story hour with Nicola Campbell at noon, and a panel on Truth and Reconciliation in health care, education and community at 1 p.m.
There are two, 40-minute Halq’eméylem workshops with Tanya Zilinski at the Career Cafe (895A Third Ave.). Pre-kindergarteners can learn at 10 a.m., and adults can learn at 11 a.m.
Finally, Tanya Zilinski will also be holding a loom beadwork workshop at the Art Machine at noon. That workshop is also full, with a waitlist being created.
For more information, visit hopeinclusionproject.ca.
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