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Island Senior Knits Bears for Reconciliation

Port Alberni, Indigenous Policing Services, Community Policing Services

2023-09-29 08:38 PDT

 

Vancouver Island resident, Diana Blaikie, has put her love of knitting toward commemorating Truth and Reconciliation. Blaikie has been knitting little bears with orange t-shirts one by one for several months as her own personal way to honour Indigenous survivors of residential schools and their families. Blaike admits she didn't quite know how to distribute them but, "I thought I'd like to knit bears for children a little closer to home ", says Blaikie.

 

 Photo of woman sitting in a chair holding knitted bearPhoto of a little girl holdng a knitted teddy bear

Blaike had a connection to the Port Alberni Indigenous Policing Service in Port Alberni by way of her knitting group in Qualicum Beach and soon a plan came together to distribute the bears in a meaningful way.

On Friday September 29th 2023, Indigenous Policing Services in Port Alberni gave out the little bears to Kindergarten students at Haahuupayak School on Tseshaht First Nation, in Port Alberni. The children were delighted with the bears and the bears accompanied the class on a long walk to mark National Truth and Reconciliation Day at their school.

Released by:

Cst. Beth O'Connor
Media Relations Officer
Port Alberni RCMP
4444 Morton St, Port Alberni BC, V9Y 4M8
Office: 250-723-2424

Email: portalberni_media@rcmp-grc-gc.ca

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