Quilt talk explores legacy of residential schools, truth and reconciliation

Nikita Mohile

Last Wednesday, the Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Ontario (LMMSO) hosted a quilt talk presented by Pam Hart, a member of the Kawartha Lakes Truth and Reconciliation Support Group (KTRSG). The KTRSG is a group of “Indigenous peoples living in the Kawartha area, people of local faith groups, and of no religious affiliation” working together to promote reconciliation based on respect, justice and equality.

The quilt as it is presented by the Kawartha Lakes Truth and Reconciliation Support Group. The quilt talk was held in Leaskdale last Wednesday. Photo by Nikita Mohile

The bright, multi-coloured quilt tells the story of one of the darkest chapters in Canada's history. Each patch on the quilt relates to the legacy of residential schools and a KTRSG member’s thoughts on the future of reconciliation.

"People need to learn to listen to First Peoples and the wisdom that they have to share with us about the land, the environment and about how to live together peacefully," Hart said.

Hart began the quilt talk by discussing treaties, the reserve system, residential schools and the lasting impacts those policies continue to have on Indigenous communities.

She then shared the stories behind the patches created by the late Dr. Elder Shirley Williams, a residential school survivor and professor at Trent University, and Freddy Taylor, who attended the former Mohawk Institute Residential School in Brantford.

“[Freddy] had horrendous stories about things that happened there. He ended up going to jail, but he'll tell you that he'd rather be in jail than that school in Brantford,” Hart said.

Hart explained that the strawberry-patterned border framing each square was chosen intentionally. In many Indigenous cultures across North America, strawberries symbolize hope, love and forgiveness - values she said are essential to reconciliation.

"I want the audience to think about what they can do to help and to make things different," Hart said.

LMMSO president Sharon Andic said the organization hoped the presentation would inspire those conversations. "It's always in the news and it's something we need to think about," Andic said.

"I thought it was amazing,” Rosalyn Craig, a member of the Stouffville PROBUS group, said. “It was very informative, it was sad, it was happy. It was very touching.”

All the quilt stories can be read on the KTRSG website.