Inspired by a woven blanket, this large‐scale art installation is made from hundreds of items reclaimed from residential schools, churches, government buildings and traditional and cultural structures across Canada. The 90‐minute feature documentary film Picking Up the Pieces: The Making of the Witness Blanket weaves those stories with Carey Newman’s personal journey, examining how art can open our hearts to the pain of truth and the beauty of resilience.

Watching this documentary allows you to witness the making of this powerful artwork and the survivor stories it bears. Artist Carey Newman says: “In the Salish tradition, we ask people to stand and speak about what they have witnessed.” We ask you to share its stories and your own story of encountering them, and to weave these memories and experiences into your life in living remembrance. 

The Canadian Heritage Arts Society is part of the ReconciliACTION Oak Bay, a collaboration of Oak Bay-based organizations deeply committed to building community to community relationships with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations and to taking concrete action to advance the process of Reconciliation in order to build a just future together. 

The makers of the documentary have made it freely available online to share the power of storytelling and testimony during a time of fear, uncertainty and social isolation. They invite you to bear witness.

This film shares traumatic stories of Indian residential school survivors. Please watch and share with gentleness. 

If you or your family members have a history with residential schools, make sure before watching that you can connect with support.

November 8, 2025 at 7.30pm Dave Dunnet Community Theatre

Filled with music and story, this moving tribute resounds ‘from the frontline to the homefront’. Since 2018 the concert has also offered a fully accessible community performance at the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre in Oak Bay in partnership with the District of Oak Bay and the Band of the 5th (BC) Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery. In 2024, the students participated in the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Oak Bay Cenotaph.  

This annual event is offered by donation, with all proceeds being shared equally between the Canadian Heritage Arts Society and the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre, an independent non-profit organization that serves military families.  

Concert of Remembrance Tickets 

This theatrical reflection on service and sacrifice is also shared every November at no cost with parishes, Legions, community groups, and long-term care homes.