Survivors share their storied past through their Talking Quilt

The Talking Quilt helps to create conversations.

The blanket is comprised of 24 squares each surrounded by a colourful border and at its centre − the medicine wheel.

At first glance it’s vibrant and inviting.

But on closer examination, each square represents the lived experiences of trauma, loss, healing, and rejuvenation.

It all started 25 years ago by the late Ruby Head.

The Talking Quilt is a cultural artifact created by the women of James Smith Cree Nation (JSCN) as a way to share their personal stories and heal together as they assembled the quilt.

“It was difficult at times,” said Sandra Head, a residential school survivor. “We would break down, a lot of us.”

She is one of the women from JSCN women’s group who helped piece together the quilt.

“We would talk about our experiences at residential school, and at times, it was so difficult because it hurt to talk about – some of us hadn’t talked about it before,” said Head.

Among the stories embedded in the fabric are those of being taken to residential school, abuses suffered, relationships with family, loss and reconnecting with culture, struggle with addictions and mental health, and finding healing, among many others.

“You can feel the energy still in the squares that (we) put stories on,” said Sharon Starblanket, one of the JSCN participants in the Talking Quilt. “I’m happy that our stories are out there.”

Following a research project conducted with Saskatchewan Polytechnic (SaskPoly), Head, who was in possession of the quilt, transferred it to SaskPoly, where it will be preserved and displayed at their Saskatoon campus. A formal ceremony to mark the transfer took place on February 6.

“The quilt itself is a historical artifact, so I think this is a good way for us to preserve it, and stop these stories from being lost,” said Lindsey Boechler, research manager at SaskPoly.

In addition to displaying the Talking Quilt, SaskPoly has recorded the oral history of the women from JSCN who created the quilt, including Joan Daniels, Sandra Head, Cecile Moostoos, Cosette Moostoos, Tena Moostoos, and Sharon Starblanket. Many of the original contributors to the quilt have since passed on.

“It’s really important for the public to recognize what happened at residential schools,” said Boechler. “I think, at our school of Nursing and Health Sciences, it’s really important perspective and understanding for these future healthcare providers to have.”

Displaying the quilt in their campus corresponds to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Call to Action 62, which focuses on incorporating Indigenous history, knowledge, and perspectives into post-secondary education.

“I think the truth part of Truth and Reconciliation is often overlooked – everyone just wants to jump to Reconciliation,” said Boechler.  “I think (displaying the quilt) is a very important part of that truth,”

The Elders from JSCN who created the Talking Quilt also expressed the significance of the blanket being publicly displayed at the campus.

“I didn’t expect anything like this for the blanket,” said Head. “I’m happy it will be there so people will understand more about residential school, and it will be educational.”

Survivor Cecile Moostoos believes that the blanket could be restorative for other Indigenous people.

“I think it’s a good thing that it’s being shared,” said Moostoos. “A lot of our First Nations people have been through a lot, and it’s time for healing.”