THE WITNESS BLANKET: TRUTH, ART AND RECONCILIATION - RAINCOAST

Carey Newman or Hayalthkin'geme is a multidisciplinary artist and master carver and Kirstie Hudson is an editor and writer in Victoria, British Columbia.

Artist Carey Newman created the Witness Blanket to make sure that history is never forgotten. The Blanket is a living work of art—a collection of hundreds of objects from those schools. It includes everything from photos, bricks, hockey skates, graduation certificates, dolls and piano keys to braids of hair. Behind every piece is a story. And behind every story is a residential school Survivor, including Carey's father. This book is a collection of truths about what happened at those schools, but it's also a beacon of hope and a step on the journey toward reconciliation.