RJC Engineers Supports KAIROS Blanket Exercise

Gain a deeper appreciation for the shared history of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada through the KAIROS Blanket Exercise. RJC Engineers, the IISAAK OLAM Foundation, Canadian Mountain Network, and the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership are sponsors of this experiential workshop that will illustrate the nation-to-nation relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.

“We all see our world through lenses created by lived experiences. In order to be better allies to Indigenous peoples and respectfully engage with Indigenous Nations as AEC professionals, we must educate ourselves in the histories that have shaped Indigenous world views, including the experiences Indigenous Peoples have lived through in Canada” shares Eric Wilson, Indigenous Projects Liaison with RJC Engineers. “The KAIROS blanket exercise gives us an opportunity for experiential learning that drives these points home in a way learning that you can’t get through a book. The value for AEC professionals is that this experience will help you to more respectfully engage with Indigenous Nations in your work.”

Participants will step into the role of  a First Nation, Inuit, or Métis individual to build empathy and increase understanding of the impacts of colonization on the people who were here since time immemorial. The event is set to engage with people’s minds and hearts to provide understanding of how we can move forward together by understanding our past.

Through active participation, participants will reflect on their understanding of the shared history of Canada, develop a greater level of empathy for the experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada, and improve their ability to respectfully engage with Indigenous Nations.

The KAIROS Blanket Exercise takes place on Wednesday, May 4^th from 5:30pm to 9:30pm at the Songhees Wellness Centre in Victoria, BC.

Registration is $120 and also includes a meal. Proceeds go to the ḴEL,ḴELOŦEN ȻE S,ISTEW̱ Education Fund and the IPCA Innovation Program. Registration is available here: https://bit.ly/3vp1iJE

There is also an option to provide additional funding to sponsor Nation members and staff to attend this event by making a donation to the IPCA Innovation Program, here: https://bit.ly/3xDUXN6