News & Events
Apr 29, 2022
Strathcona CPC brings the Kairos Blanket Exercise to Admiral Seymour Elementary students
Twenty pairs of eyes and ears were focused on the seated
figure of Elder Kat Norris. The circle of chairs surrounding her as the grade 7
students at Admiral Seymour Elementary School listened to the stories of the
residential school survivor as she taught them how her people, and so many
others, were treated not that long ago here in Canada, or as it was known to
them previously, Turtle Island.
A single student, overcome with emotion, moves to sit by her
feet, head bowed respectfully and receives a caring hug and look from Kat as
she continues.
Elder Kat Norris is Coast Salish of the Lyackson First
Nation.
This
scene was part of a powerful experience known as the Kairos Blanket Exercise. Your
Strathcona CPC brought this workshop to the students as part of our Diversity
and Inclusion Program. This program aims to create neighbourhood harmony and
safety through programs designed to increase the connection, and understanding
of an incredibly diverse community of people. The KAIROS Blanket Exercise is an experiential
workshop that explores the nation-to-nation relationship between Indigenous and
non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. Blankets arranged on the floor represent land
and participants are invited to step into the roles of First Nations, Inuit and
later Métis peoples. This session was led beautifully by facilitators Janice (Boothroyd)
and Katelyn Sparrow (Musqueam).
This session was the culmination of the past few weeks of
learning for these students as they learned more about the history of settlers
and colonizers coming to Canada. After the session was over, all participants
sat together and shared a meal as they discussed what they had learned, and shared
stories and laughs. The students eagerly showed Elder Kat their dioramas they
had created depicting residential school scenes, and their accompanying essays.
Kat share how heart warming it was to see our next generation understanding
more and more about her people's experience.
This experience was made possible by SCPC Volunteer Ashley who earned a grant from an SFU Student Community Engagement Competition.
To learn more about our Diversity and Inclusion Program, please
contact us or visit our volunteer page to find out how you can get involved.