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UVic Libraries

Experience the Witness Blanket in Virtual Reality

September 23, 2026

A person wearing a VR headset.

The Witness Blanket is a work of art created by Carey Newman/Hayalthkin'geme to honour the children and Survivors impacted by the Indian Residential School system. The large-scale installation weaves together hundreds of items from residential schools, government buildings, and churches across Canada.

UVic Libraries is hosting a virtual reality version of the Witness Blanket this fall, alongside the art project "How to Colonize 101" by Shirina Evans.

There will be an exhibit launch in the library on September 28, 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. 

Join us for food, reflection, and conversations with the artists.

Learn more about the exhibit & artists

Dates

  • September 28: 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., with Carey Newman/Hayalthkin'geme
  • September 29: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
  • October 1: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
  • October 2: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Location: Mearns Centre for Learning – McPherson Library Student Lounge (near the building entrance)

Everyone is welcome to interact with the collected objects through VR headsets and bear witness to the damaging legacy of Canada's residential schools.

We will also feature the "How to Colonize 101" art project by UVic Master of Indigenous Language Revitalization (MILR) candidate Shirina Evans. This project reveals how historical media narratives of "free" land were used to entice able-bodied European settlers to Canada.

This exhibit was curated with Lorilee Wastasecoot.