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

"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. This Nonfiction Book, Illustrated With Photographs, Tells The Story Of The Making Of The Witness Blanket, A Work By Indigenous Artist Carey Newman That Includes Hundreds Of Items From Every Residential School In Canada And Stories From The Survivors Who Donated Them.-- Newman, A Master Carver And Sculptor Turned Storyteller, Takes Us Behind The Scenes Of His Multi-panelled, Three-dimensional Traveling Art Installation That Tells The Story Of Canada's Residential School Story. Along With Co-writer Hudson, Newman Teaches Readers About The Items, And How They Relate To The Residential Schools In Every Province And Territory. -- Adapted From Jacket. Foreword -- Introduction -- Picking Up The Pieces -- Silent Witness -- The First Day Of School -- Never Enough -- Stitch By Stitch -- Never Forget -- Moments Of Humanity -- Out Of The Ashes -- The Permanent Record -- Plastic Dolls -- Reclaiming The Space -- Behind Closed Doors -- Identity -- Walking Among Memories -- Conclusion: The Truth About Reconciliation. Carey Newman And Kirstie Hudson. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Issued Also In Electronic Formats. 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 very 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 history "This nonfiction book, illustrated with photographs, tells the story of the making of the Witness Blanket, a work by Indigenous artist Carey Newman that includes hundreds of items from every Residential School in Canada and stories from the Survivors who donated them."-- Provided by publisher.; Newman, a master carver and sculptor turned storyteller, takes us behind the scenes of his multi-panelled, three-dimensional traveling art installation that tells the story of Canada's residential school story. Along with co-writer Hudson, Newman teaches readers about the items, and how they relate to the residential schools in every province and territory. -- Adapted from jacket Cover Contents Foreword Introduction Ch 1 Ch 2 Ch 3 Ch 4 Ch 5 Ch 6 Ch 7 Ch 8 Ch 9 Ch 10 Ch 11 Ch 12 Ch 13 Ch 14 Conclusion Glossary References Reading List Index Acknowledgments