Quilts for survivors in Timmins celebrates anniversary
A year ago, Vanessa Genier of Timmins, posted a request on her social media page. She was asking people to donate quilt blocks that she would include in the making of full-sized quilts to be given or delivered to survivors of residential schools.
She now admits to being amazed at what the 'Quilts for Survivors' organization has accomplished.
“We’re at one-thousand, seven-hundred and ten, so that’s what we made in one year," said Genier. "My goal originally was eighteen quilts which really seems small compared to where we are, and just on Friday, I had a lady from the U.S. come up and she brought eighteen quilts.”
Members are marking the anniversary of the not-for-profit group that's been bringing comfort to survivors one stitch at a time.
“We put a lot of ourselves into these quilts. There’s a spiritual connection because part of our spirit goes into that quilt, into the time and frustration at times of putting that quilt together, and then when they receive it our spirit is also received," said Genier.
She said survivors are people who've remained resilient despite being taken away from their families and placed in residential schools established by the federal government and run by the Catholic Church, or who have had to live in foster care.
Elizabeth Etherington and Micheline Hunter are both survivors. They were asked to drum and sing at the anniversary celebration, held in Hollinger Park.
“Both of my parents are survivors from residential schools, but they’ve passed on now. So I’m an intergenerational survivor. That’s why I’m here and I believe because it helps and it’s a light that opens up," said Etherington.
"When I received my quilt it felt like a hug, and when we were in residential school that is what we didn't have, a hug. So when I received that quilt, it was like a hug for me," Hunter said.
It was the discovery of the two-hundred and fifteen unmarked graves in Kamloops, British Columbia that moved Genier to launch 'Quilts for Survivors.'
She said she recently visited there and presented a quilt to Chief Roseanne Casimir.
Genier said there are currently around ten-thousand survivors and her goal, with the help from volunteers from around the world, is to send a quilt to every one of them.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A 'tragedy that can't be measured': North Bay's forever chemical problem is also the rest of Canada's
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Questlove was not happy with Drake and Kendrick Lamar's beef: 'Nobody won the war'
While some may have been excited and/or amused by the diss-track feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, the man many consider to be an elder statesman of hip-hop appears less than enthused about it.
Trump heading to Jersey Shore to rally 'mega crowd' in weekend break from hush money trial
After a long week in court, Donald Trump is heading to the Jersey Shore. And his campaign says he'll be joined by "tens of thousands" of his friends.
For moms-to-be, it's possible to take maternity leave without breaking the bank
Pregnancy is often an exciting and anxious time for parents-to-be. And while painting the nursery and choosing a stroller are typically on the agenda, experts say preparing financially for a maternity leave can help reduce stress later on as well.
Fine dining, at a new high. A Michelin-starred chef will take his cuisine to our upper atmosphere
Six guests are set to ascend aboard Spaceship Neptune to the stratosphere, where they will enjoy an immersive dining experience served up by Danish Michelin-starred chef Rasmus Munk.