This fall, the Bruce County Museum will host a traveling replica of the Witness Blanket.
Inspired by a woven blanket, this cedar-framed artwork is made of hundreds of items from Indian Residential Schools, survivors, churches, governments and other cultural sites across Canada. Each item tells a story of loss, strength, resilience and pride.
The Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre, in partnership with the Canadian Museum For Human Rights, the Government of Canada, Saugeen First Nation and Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation are pleased to bring this exhibition and local perspective to the region.
The Witness Blanket is an exhibition based on the art of Carey Newman and developed in collaboration with, and circulated by, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (Winnipeg, Manitoba).
Fondée sur l’art de Carey Newman, l’exposition la Couverture des têmoins a été créée en collaboration avec le Musée canadien pour les droits de la personne (Winnipeg, Manitoba), qui en assure la diffusion.
Proudly Presented by 
Important Dates for Exhibit and Programming
Exhibit Opening
Private Opening to SON Members
September 13
Witness Blanket Documentary “Picking up the Pieces”
Free event
September 17, 7-9pm
Community Conversations
October 7, 14, 21, 28 & November 4, 18, 25 11 am to 1pm
A discussion panel of SON members with expertise in local Language, Arts, Culture, and History.
October 23, 2026
Content for Educators
Fall 2026 – September 28 – November 30, 2026
Bear Witness. Learn. Connect. Reflect.
The Witness Blanket Student Program
Bring your students for a powerful experience of truth, resilience, and reconciliation through the Witness Blanket Traveling Exhibit. This nationally significant art installation reproduction by Master Carver Carey Newman features a mosaic of items from residential schools, Survivors, and important sites across Canada. Through talking circles and art-making, students will listen and respond to stories of loss, strength, resilience, and pride
Grades 6 and up
Program Length: 2 hours *can extend with self-guided exhibit visit
Pre- & Post-Visit activities, Human Rights Classroom Culture Resources Included
Optional Community Conversation: Meet with a Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) community member engage deeply with stories of the residential school era together.
Program + Witness Blanket Film = Free
Program + SON Community Conversation = $300 honorarium
Admission to permanent exhibits is included
Book Now!
Contact
Lauren Beer
Education and Outreach Coordinator
lbeer@brucecounty.on.ca
