Picking Up the Pieces: Residential School Memories and the Making of the Witness Blanket

by Carey Newman, Kirstie Hudson

“Will educate and enlighten Canadians for generations to come. It's a must-read for anyone seeking to understand Canada's residential-school saga. Most importantly, it's a touchstone of community for those survivors and their families still on the path to healing.”―Waubgeshig Rice, journalist and author of  Moon of the Crusted Snow Picking Up the Pieces tells the story of the making of the Witness Blanket, a living work of art conceived and created by Indigenous artist Carey Newman. It includes hundreds of items collected from residential schools across Canada, everything from bricks, photos and letters to hockey skates, dolls and braids. Every object tells a story. Carey takes the reader on a journey from the initial idea behind the Witness Blanket to the challenges in making it work to its completion. The story is told through the objects and the Survivors who donated them to the project. At every step in this important journey for children and adults alike, Carey is a guide, sharing his process and motivation behind the art. It’s a personal project. Carey’s father is a residential school Survivor. Like the Blanket itself, Picking Up the Pieces calls on readers of all ages to bear witness to the residential school experience, a tragic piece of Canada’s legacy.

Genres: Nonfiction, Indigenous, Canada, History

180 pages, Hardcover

Published September 10, 2019

Reviews

[Em (Diversify Your Shelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feels a little inappropriate to rate a book that is so integral to understanding the Indian Residential Schools but the book and the Witness Blanket are important pieces of work that deserve to be in public awareness.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells about the creation of a piece of art. In itself that might not be really interesting to read about, depending on the art in question. But since this artwork (a 'blanket' made of wood and materials from all 144 residential schools across Canada) is so meaningful and powerful for the people impacted by the residential school system, reading about it's creation and the people who helped bring it all together was enlightening.

[Debbie George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Residential schools are a shameful part of Canadian history. Thank you to Carey Newman and his team for creating this magnificent art installation, the Witness Blanket, from items collected from each residential school. This book shared the journey from initial idea, to finished project. May we all learn, remember and heal.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving account of the history of residential schools for Native Americans in Canada. The former students discuss their experiences and attempts to excavate the sights. The artifacts and art work they personally created and the creation of an art instillation they named The Witness Blanket. It’s moving and beautiful.

[Arlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this book. I spent much of it in tears. The photos are beautiful, the stories meaningful - heartbreaking, of course, but also stories of healing and resilience. And I loved looking at how art can play such a role in healing and remembering. It was accessible enough that I will read much of this to my class before Sept 30 for this year.

[Jannette Tacka · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Witness Blanket is a large visual art piece that displays pieces/photos/stories from every Residential School. Heartbreaking history. Good on Canada for launching The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and choosing this art project. The artist and author, Carey Newman, provides a section-by-section description of the "blanket". His father was a resident/prisoner of a Residential School. The number of these schools is astounding and the last one wasn't closed until 1996. Survivors and/or their family that donated items to the blanket are featured throughout. The multi-generational harm is acknowledged. Step 1.

Things to know:

Industrial Schools had children working to make items for sale.

Both Residential and Industrial Schools have graveyards for the children who died from abuse, disease, starvation, accidents, and more.

Sixties Scoop expanded, the taking of indigenous children and putting them in white foster homes to be adopted. Spanned 1960-1980's.

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently was talking to two first year undergraduates from Canada and they were commenting on how little native history was taught especially in regards to the Canadian government’s role. When this book went back as an ARC, it seemed like a good way for me to learn more about the residential school system in Canada. I was expecting more of a history book, which this is not but that does not make it any less valuable. This is a story about a story. It is about making the blanket and what it means to remember and honor those who survived and those who are gone. Many of the atrocities are touched on but not described in detail but instead the focus is on the witness and the story of the artist and his family as well.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating and emotional work. I knew of the residential schools and that they were places of abuse, neglect, and death. However, the Witness Blanket that the author helped create with all the survivors of the residential schools is the most incredible and emotional way of telling their stories and history.

A must read for everyone.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautiful book. I enjoyed reading how the blanket was made, and I was glad to learn some of the backstories to the items, as heartbreaking as they were. I hope that one day I will get to see the blanket in person.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story of collecting and mounting the pieces for the Witness Blanket. I hope to see it in person some day.

[Steffanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book, and I truly know MY words will never be able to give it the absolute honour that the story within these pages tells. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💔

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 star book that every Canadian should read. Learning is an important part of Truth and Reconciliation.

[Darcie Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A “must read” as part of the reconciliation promise.