Kairos Blanket Exercise

The Kairos Blanket Exercise is based on using Indigenous methodologies and the goal is to build understanding about our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada by walking through pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization and resistance. Everyone is actively involved as they step onto blankets that represent the land, and into the role of First Nations, Inuit and later Métis peoples. By engaging on an emotional and intellectual level, the Blanket Exercise effectively educates and increases empathy.

John Henri Commanda is Anishinaabe (Ojibway) of the Eagle Clan, and is a member of Dokis First Nation. He is also President of Mahingan Consulting, a firm that offers Indigenous Awareness Training, including Kairos Blanket Exercise (KBE). He has a long experience with the federal government, including several Aboriginal empowerment initiatives in the public service. He has also served the larger community as president of two Friendship Centres.

Archie Martin is a Mi’kmaq and Metis Elder and Knowledge Keeper who devotes himself to educate and share the truth, contributing to correct perceptions about the powerful historic role of native people in the building of the country. In so doing, he advocates that together we can all continue to write history by opening to each other as peoples, working towards true reconciliation, beyond hatred, prejudices, and politics.