Alice Olsen Williams is asking people to send her quilt blocks. She is creating a quilt to help Native communities across Canada heal from the devastating effects of residential schools.
“Each block is to be about what you want to express regarding residential schools. It can be about what you experienced, or can be about how you have compassion for what others of our peoples went through – whatever it is you want to share or express,” said Olsen in her request for the quilt blocks.
The quilt will hang at the future National Research Centre on residential schools.
Anyone interested can participate by creating a square 13” by 13”. Participants can use any design, materials or colours they choose, but must make sure the blocks can be added to the quilt. Olsen notes that photos or paint on stiff paper or canvas could also be used as they can be transferred to fabric and used in the quilt.
Olsen also asks that the following information be included with the squares: a long or short story explaining what the square is about; your name and address; your email address (if you have one); and your phone number so that she can inform you about the progress of the quilt and possibly a photo of the completed quilt.
Please send the squares to:
Alice Olsen Williams Curve lake First Nation, ON KOL IRO