Join us for a blanket exercise to explore relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples

The City of Port Moody is pleased to invite the community to a free blanket exercise at Rocky Point Park on Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 10am to 1pm. Facilitated by KAIROS Canada, the KAIROS Blanket Exercise is an interactive and experiential teaching tool that explores the historic and contemporary relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples in the land we now know as Canada. We kindly ask that you register online at portmoody.ca so we know how many people to expect. 

“Everyone who resides on these lands can benefit from learning its history, and there is no better way to move forward with Truth and Reconciliation than to develop an understanding of the past and how it shapes the present,” says Mayor Meghan Lahti. “Understanding the ongoing impacts of colonization and colonialism on Indigenous Peoples is one way that everyone can contribute to building a brighter future for us all. If you are available on June 22, I encourage you to participate in this unique and meaningful learning experience.” 

Please read the information below to find out more about the blanket exercise.

What happens during the exercise?
From the KAIROS Canada website:
During this two- to three-hour workshop, participants step on blankets representing the land and into the role of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. They are guided by trained facilitators, including Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers, who work from a script that covers pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization, resistance, and much more. Participants read scrolls and respond to cues in the script. The KAIROS Blanket Exercise concludes with a debriefing, conducted as a talking circle, during which participants discuss the learning experience, process their feelings, ask questions, share insights, and deepen their understanding. 

What should I bring?
This is an outdoor event. We recommend you bring a blanket or chair and a water bottle (filled). Wear comfortable clothes suitable for the weather and be prepared to take off your shoes. Please be prepared to stay for the full duration of the exercise. 

Where is the meeting point in Rocky Point Park?
The blanket exercise is scheduled to take place at Rocky Point Park on Saturday, June 22 from 10am to 1pm in an open area between the Shoreline Trail and Slaughterhouse Creek, just north of the off-leash dog park (view map). If the weather is unsuitable for outdoor activities, the exercise will be held indoors at the gymnasium in the Port Moody Recreation Complex (300 Ioco Road). Additional information and updates will be shared through the email you provide during registration. 

Who can participate?
Everyone who is 14 years of age or older is welcome to participate. Please note a parent’s or guardian’s signature is required if a participant is under 18 years of age. Residents of all municipalities are invited and there is no cost to participate. 

If you have questions about this event, please email djain@portmoody.ca or call 604-469-4689.