Two travelling exhibits created to illustrate and explain the Canadian residential school system will be featured at the Simcoe County Museum.
The first exhibit is called We Were Taught Differently - the Indian Residential School Experience. It examines residential schools by focusing on two schools that were located in Kenora, Ontario – Cecilia Jeffrey and St. Mary's.
"The primary objectives of this exhibit are to acknowledge this part of our history; to promote awareness about the residential schools and the long-term effect they had on the First Nations people; and to honour those whose lives have been touched by the schools. It is an exhibit for everyone," states a press release from Simcoe County.
The exhibit includes images, text, video, archival material and personal recollections to teach visitors what life in residential schools was like, and the lasting impact they have had.
The second exhibit is a full-scale reproduction of the original Witness Blanket, which is a large-scale art installation made out of hundreds of items reclaimed from the sites of former residential schools, churches, government buildings, traditional and cultural structures, band offices, treatment centres and universities.
The original piece toured Canada extensively and is now undergoing conservation at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
"The Witness Blanket stands as a national monument to recognize the atrocities of the Indian residential school era, honour the children, and symbolize ongoing reconciliation," states the county's press release.
The exhibit is featured at the Museum until Nov. 30.
Simcoe County Museum is opening with reduced operational hours and limited site access to allow for physical distancing. Visits must be booked in advance online at http://www.museum.simcoe.ca, or by calling 705-728-3721.
For current exhibits, as well as online activities and information visit museum.simcoe.ca.
