The Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre (BCM&CC) has announced the opening of the Witness Blanket, a nationally touring exhibition based on the work of artist Carey Newman (Hayalthkin’geme). Now on view through November 2026, the exhibit takes inspiration from a woven blanket.
The cedar-framed artwork uses hundreds of items collected from Indian residential schools, Survivors, churches, governments and other cultural sites across Canada. Each object carries a story and contributes to a visual testimony of the residential school system and its ongoing impacts.
Developed in collaboration with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the exhibition was circulated by the museum and highlights Newman’s multidisciplinary background as an Indigenous artist, master carver, filmmaker and author.
Educational programming will accompany the exhibition, offering students and educators opportunities to engage with the history and legacy of residential schools in meaningful, age-appropriate ways. Through guided learning experiences grounded in empathy, understanding and reflection, participants will explore the lasting impacts of residential schools and the ongoing journey toward reconciliation.