Category Archives: Winnipeg

“Beyond simple knowledge” – Manitoba professor lauds emotionally impactful learning

Project of Heart would like to acknowledge the work of the students in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba for their Project of Heart learning experiences.

The students were taking Dr. Tracey Bone’s Feminist Perspectives in Social Work Practice and Social Welfare course, when they were introduced to Project of Heart through participating in a field trip to the National Center for Truth and Reconciliation in 2017. Since then, students in subsequent years have been doing adapted versions of Project of Heart in their course work. They attend a presentation on residential schools by one of the Center’s educators, then share their experiences of their learning with the first gesture of reconciliation. Decorating the small wooden tile, done in remembrance of a child who died as a result of attending the *school*, celebrating the resilience of the survivors, and explaining its significance to their peers is just one aspect of the learning/action they do.

Dr. Bone ensures that the student work is seen by both students and staff at the University of Manitoba through displays of the framed tiles on International Women’s Day (coming up on March 8th). As Bone states, “The exercise has been emotionally impactful for the students in my various courses as it moves the painful reality of Residential Schools beyond simple knowledge to application of learning.”

Miigwetch to the students and Dr. Bone for their investigating the horrific truths of Canada’s past and learning about the direct implications of that past to the present day. The forced separation of Indigenous children from their homes and communities was designed to eradicate the identity of thousands of children. These social work students are learning the tough work of supporting radical change in child welfare systems so that First Nations children can grow up in culturally supportive communities with loving family members to ensure their well-being. Keep up the good work!

A cold night full of warm hearts

Tile mosaic, Rossbrook House “No Child Alone” Dinner
Project of Heart would like to thank Brenda Hasiuk from Rossbrook House in Winnipeg for this report from 18 months ago. It does indeed warm our hearts, reminding us of the energy and commitment people shared together  when such gatherings were still possible.We can’t wait for POH to be part of such gatherings again!

On January 24, 2019, Over  500 Winnipeggers gathered for the 2nd annual “No Child Alone Dinner” in support of Rossbrook House, a 24-7 drop-in centre for inner city children and youth.

Keynote speaker Niigaan Sinclair shared his thoughts on our city’s journey toward reconciliation and everyone in attendance took home a magnetized “Project of Heart” tile to remind them of the night and what they learned. Each tile was created by a Rossbrook House participant expressing what reconciliation meant to them.

Winnipeg: Hugh John MacDonald School partners with POH to learn Canada’s real history

A big POH shout-out goes to Grade 7 and 8 students of teacher Guillermo Vodniza at Hugh John MacDonald School in Winnipeg, who did an outstanding job of educating themselves — and their community — about the experiences of young children who attended Indian Residential Schools in Manitoba. Continue reading Winnipeg: Hugh John MacDonald School partners with POH to learn Canada’s real history

#TBT : CBC and Project of Heart at The Forks

June 2017 will mark seven years since the First National Event of the historic Truth and Reconciliation Commission was held at The Forks in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

 

Project of Heart was invited to  exhibit, and soon the Manitoba Theatre for Young People was hosting 6 ooo decorated Project of Heart tiles.

 

Visitors learned about the Indian Residential Schools, visited and spoke with Survivors, and participated in social justice actions through signing petitions and writing letters.

 

Thank you CBC for covering this event and thank you to the IRS Survivors who, through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission brought Project of Heart to Canadians everywhere.

Second time round for the Canadian Mennonite University and Project of Heart

This past term students at the Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg teamed up  with Peace It Together to take part in Project of Heart for a second time.  This meant that the CMU students were joined by High School youth from Mennonite churches across Canada, who completed the POH exercise in a drop-in style so that learners could come, learn, and contribute on their own time. Continue reading Second time round for the Canadian Mennonite University and Project of Heart

The Canadian Mennonite University commemorates children of Poplar Hill IRS

In June of 2010 a Peace and Social Awareness committee member of the Canadian Mennonite University  was inspired by Project of Heart’s presence at the First National Event of the TRC in Winnipeg, and contacted us so that the PSAC committe and the wider student body might learn more about their own community’s role in the history of the Indian Residential Schools. Continue reading The Canadian Mennonite University commemorates children of Poplar Hill IRS

Truth and Reconciliation Commission features Project of Heart in First National Event

-Click on image to see slideshow.

Winnipeg’s Forks district was the scene of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s first national event in June, held in conjunction with historic public hearings into the residential school era. Continue reading Truth and Reconciliation Commission features Project of Heart in First National Event

“If the truth about residential schools was taught…

..mainstream Canadians wouldn’t profess such ignorance”

So says Winnipeg educator Angela Busch in this special report filed earlier this week by CBC reporter Karen Paul for the Stolen Children series on Radio One; it’s an interview with students from Project of Heart partner school Southeast Collegiate in Winnipeg and was recorded with teacher Angela’s history class. Continue reading “If the truth about residential schools was taught…