Today, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR), Indigenous
artist Carey Newman (Hayalthkin’geme), and TELUS celebrated the
launch of a new online platform which invites all Canadians to bear
witness to the experiences of residential school Survivors.
Witnessblanket.ca shares stories from the Witness Blanket, a
powerful work of art made from over 800 items reclaimed from
residential schools, churches, government buildings and other
important cultural sites across Canada. The artwork was created by
master carver and Indigenous artist, Carey Newman, as a national
monument to recognize the atrocities of the residential school era,
honour the children, Survivors, and symbolize ongoing
reconciliation.
“In the oral tradition of my ancestors, a witness has an
important role to make sure things are not forgotten. A witness
watches, listens, and then shares with others,” said Carey Newman.
“As we launch this new platform today, I invite everyone to explore
these stories, become witnesses to the voices and memories of
Survivors and share their truths in your communities.”
Users can explore 10 original stories that weave together video
testimony from Survivors with information about a piece of the
artwork. These stories share the significance of items that carry a
deep personal and cultural connection to the residential school era
and its legacy such as braided hair, a mush hole bowl, Inuvik
stone, and letters. Users can also explore the full artwork,
including individual pieces, where they were located and who
contributed them. Digitizing the Witness Blanket has made it
accessible to audiences around the world. Through
witnessblanket.ca, thousands more each year will recognize the
atrocities of the era, remember the children who didn’t return
home, and honour Survivors.
The digital Witness Blanket project was created through a
partnership between Newman, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights,
Animikii Indigenous Technology, Media One Inc., and TELUS. It was
made possible by a $1 million dollar commitment from TELUS and the
TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, and an additional $100,000 from
the Entwistle Family Foundation. Its development was guided by a
Survivors Circle brought together through the National Centre for
Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR). The launch of witnessblanket.ca
represents the first phase of this partnership. Moving forward, it
will leverage TELUS’ technological expertise to create augmented
reality, virtual reality led by Camosun Innovates, and projection
mapping experiences that will further expand the reach of the
Witness Blanket.
“The TELUS team is honoured to partner with master carver, Carey
Newman, and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights to digitize and
promote the Witness Blanket,” said Darren Entwistle, President and
CEO, TELUS. “Our $1 million commitment provides an important
opportunity to leverage the power of technology to share stories
and truths about the children who were lost, the Survivors who
endured and the generations of families that have been forever
changed by residential schools. It is our hope that the online
platform of the Witness Blanket has a lasting and powerful
impression on every person within Canada and well beyond,
reflecting our collective commitment to truth telling.”
A core feature of the platform is a new resource guide for
teachers, created in consultation with an advisory group of
teachers across Canada. The guide includes foundational teaching
strategies, guidance on how to welcome Elders, Survivors and
Indigenous community members into the classroom, and detailed
lesson plans for teaching about residential schools to students of
all ages.
In addition to digitizing the Witness Blanket, the Canadian
Museum for Human Rights has launched an initiative by the Vancouver
Public Library to create stations in two branches – including a
children’s branch at the Central Library – where visitors can
explore the Witness Blanket digitally.
“We appreciate TELUS joining us on this journey and bringing
their incredible support. We also have to thank Carey Newman for
his vision and the NCTR Survivors Circle who gave so much of
themselves to ensure the stories on witnessblanket.ca recognize the
harms of the past but also leave us with hope for the future,” said
Isha Khan, Chief Executive Officer, CMHR. “Bearing witness to
Survivors and their stories is our responsibility as Canadians. If
we carry their truths with us, we cannot help but walk the path of
truth and reconciliation together.”
Central to TELUS’ Reconciliation Commitment, TELUS is leveraging
their world-leading technology to support the diverse needs of
Indigenous Peoples, build relationships between Indigenous and
non-Indigenous businesses, help to grow the economy and enable
prosperity for Indigenous Peoples. In 2021, TELUS committed $8
million to stand in solidarity with Survivors and their families by
supporting Indigenous-led entrepreneurs, projects and initiatives.
This commitment includes a $1 million gift to digitize, promote and
distribute the Witness Blanket as well as investments from the
TELUS Pollinator Fund in Indigenous-led businesses, and grants from
the TELUS Community Boards and TELUS Friendly Future
Foundation.
About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a dynamic, world-leading
communications technology company with $17 billion in annual
revenue and 17 million customer connections spanning wireless,
data, IP, voice, television, entertainment, video, and security.
Our social purpose is to leverage our global-leading technology and
compassion to drive social change and enable remarkable human
outcomes. Our longstanding commitment to putting our customers
first fuels every aspect of our business, making us a distinct
leader in customer service excellence and loyalty. The numerous,
sustained accolades TELUS has earned over the years from
independent, industry-leading network insight firms showcase the
strength and speed of TELUS’ global-leading networks, reinforcing
our commitment to provide Canadians with access to superior
technology that connects us to the people, resources and
information that make our lives better.
Operating in 28 countries around the world, TELUS International
(TSX and NYSE: TIXT) is a leading digital customer experience
innovator that designs, builds, and delivers next-generation
solutions, including AI and content moderation, for global and
disruptive brands across high-growth industry verticals, including
tech and games, communications and media and eCommerce and
fintech.
TELUS Health is a global healthcare company, which provides
employee and family preventative healthcare and wellness solutions.
Our TELUS team, along with our 100,000 health professionals, are
leveraging the combination of TELUS’ strong digital and data
analytics capabilities with our unsurpassed client service to
dramatically improve remedial, preventative and mental health
outcomes for over 50 million people, and growing, around the world.
As the largest provider of digital solutions and digital insights
of its kind, TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods enables
efficient and sustainable production from seed to store, helping
improve the safety and quality of food and other goods in a way
that is traceable to end consumers.
Driven by our determination and vision to connect all citizens
for good, our deeply meaningful and enduring philosophy to give
where we live has inspired TELUS, our team members and retirees to
contribute more than $900 million, in cash, in-kind contributions,
time and programs, and 1.8 million days of service since 2000. This
unprecedented generosity and unparalleled volunteerism have made
TELUS the most giving company in the world. Together, let’s make
the future friendly.
For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com, follow
us @TELUSNews on Twitter and @Darren_Entwistle on Instagram.
About the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Located in the heart of Canada where major rivers and historic
cultures come together in Winnipeg, the Canadian Museum for Human
Rights is a place of hope and optimism that encourages people to
connect with something larger than themselves and acknowledge their
personal stake in building a better world. A stunning achievement
in architectural design, it opened in 2014 as the first national
museum established outside Canada’s capital region – and the only
museum in the world dedicated exclusively to the pursuit of human
rights for all.
Find out more at humanrights.ca, on Facebook, Twitter, or
Instagram.
For more information, please contact:
Lena Chen
TELUS Public Relations
lena.chen@telus.com
Rorie McLeod
CMHR Media Relations
rorie.mcleod@humanrights.ca
Cell: 204-299-0303
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7f9afaa1-8117-4175-bf5e-85b46a39bc88
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