The blanket exercise is an educational activity showing Indigenous people’s perspective of the Canadian history.

Reconciliation is an important process in promoting Canada’s diversity and inclusivity – and Northern Fond Du Lac staff recently participated in a blanket exercise to help understand their customers better.

The Kairos blanket exercise recreates history’s settings and characters. The blanket represents the land and participants role-play Indigenous peoples. Through the narrative of the facilitator, participants are asked to leave the blanket, or it is moved move to a different place – resembling that challenges and mistreatment that Indigenous people faced in the past. At the end, those who are standing on small squares are the only few First Nation members who “survived” on their homeland.

This exercise encourages participants to engage in open, reflective, and thoughtful discussions about their experience. Education and understanding are keys to opening the door of reconciliation and inviting Indigenous nations to join in, creating an integrated community where everyone feels that they belong here in Canada.

“This educational experience is highly recommended for everyone,” said Northern Fond Du Lac Manager Kavirasa Kanagaiah.

“Participating in this exercise definitely played a strong role in establishing a better relationship with the community. I am committed to investing the time to do that by taking part in the March Winter Festival coming up, which I am very excited about,” he added.