Group sewing quilts for residential school survivors
QUILTS FOR SURVIVORS - Claresholm’s “Sew 4 Fun” quilting group sews quilts for the survivors of residential schools and other trauma. From left are group members Paulette Dumont; Debbie Vezina; Angie George; Margaret Edwards; Candy Brown; and Caroline DeClercq. Terry Goulet is also part of the group but was unavailable for photo. Photo by Rob Vogt
By Rob Vogt
A quilt can be a powerful tool, not just providing warmth but comfort and a sense of security. A group of quilters in Claresholm has joined a national effort to make quilts for the survivors of residential schools and other trauma.
“Sew 4 Fun” of Claresholm is lead by Angie George, who said Quilts for Survivors was started in 2021 after the discovery of 215 bodies found in the area around the Kamloops residential school. Quilts for Survivors is a registered non-profit founded by Vanessa Genier, an Indigenous mother from Missanabie First Nation, Ontario.
According to its website, it unites volunteer quilters nationwide to gift full-sized quilts to residential school survivors, symbolizing support, respect, and love. Supported by generous donations, the initiative began as a Facebook group inviting quilters to honour survivors and the children returning to their Nations across Turtle Island.
George said anyone interested in receiving a quilt can register with Quilts for Survivors. However, the wait is two years long. Consequently, she started making quilts, identifying those who may need one, and delivering them to elders in Williams Lake, Kamloops and Merritt, British Columbia. A load of 15 quilts is also going to Fort Macleod, and survivors in that area.
In total, 72 quilts have been distributed since 2021. So far, about 8,000 quilts have been distributed nationally. George said initially everything was sent to Timmins, Ontario for distribution. Making the deliveries herself is a huge savings because they don’t have to be mailed out. “I just took a load out,” she said.
The group “Sew 4 Fun” is made up of local quilters who volunteer and donate their time and materials to make the quilts. That includes fabric, batting for the middle, and backing. The quilters sew together and individually.
They are always welcoming more quilters and donations of quilt tops, fabric, thread, batting, backing, or cash to buy supplies. Anyone interested in more information can email Angie George at ageorge17@gmail.com. “We like to sew, and this is a good cause,” she said.