TRU Williams Lake invites all to powerful Indigenous exhibits

Courtesy of Thompson Rivers University:

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Williams Lake proudly welcomes two Indigenous exhibitions to campus.

Created by the First Peoples’ Cultural Council in partnership with Royal BC Museum, Our Living Languages: First Peoples’ Voices in British Columbia is an award-winning interactive language exhibition that encourages visitors to learn more about the challenges faced by Indigenous communities throughout the province as they work to revitalize their languages. Thirty-four of Canada’s 60 Indigenous languages are represented in this exhibition.

Dates: Mon., March 27 to Tues., July 4
Times: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Mon. to Fri.)
Location: TRU Williams Lake *

Developed by the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and Indigenous artist Carey Newman, the Witness Blanket is a powerful and thought-provoking work of art that recognizes the dark and difficult legacy of residential schools in our country. Inspired by a woven blanket, the cedar‐framed artwork is made of more than 800 reclaimed items — including braids of hair, a hockey trophy and a piece of stained glass — from 77 sites across Canada, including residential schools, churches and cultural organizations.

“I talk about the Witness Blanket as a response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call for commemoration initiatives,” Newman told CBC Radio. “It was my way of using art to talk about the truth of residential school history in Canada. It was inspired by my father and his experience.”

Dates: Mon., Aug. 21 to Fri., Oct. 20
Times: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Mon. to Fri.)
Location: TRU Williams Lake *

*Parking is free on campus.