Quilts centre Survivors’ experiences at historic Brantford site
The Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford is mounting a new exhibition, You Are Not Forgotten, that foregrounds the experiences of Residential School Survivors through textile art and community storytelling. The show is scheduled to run from July 20 to August 15 inside the former Mohawk Institute Residential School, with an opening reception on Thursday, July 23, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Presented within the walls of a building central to the history being addressed, the exhibition brings together works that honour Survivors and invite reflection from residents along the Grand River. Organizers say the initiative is designed to create space for learning and community ties across the watershed, including Brantford and neighbouring communities.
Community-made quilts and stories from the Grand River
A key feature of the exhibition is Quilts for Survivors, produced by the Six Nations Piecemakers Quilt Club. Each handmade quilt was created to pay tribute to Survivors and to convey messages of care, comfort and remembrance. These pieces are being displayed alongside the Grand River Quilt Project, a community endeavour that includes more than 70 quilt squares crafted by people who live along the Grand River watershed. Every square is paired with a story or poem, capturing a personal connection to the river and the communities that live with it.
The two bodies of work are presented together to highlight how artmaking and storytelling can carry memory and help communities consider their shared past and present. With the exhibition housed in the former Residential School, visitors will encounter the quilts in a setting directly tied to the histories the artists are engaging.
Opening reception includes performance pieces
The opening reception will feature performances by the Grandview Theatre Company and the Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity. These presentations are inspired by stories drawn from the Grand River Quilt Project and from the Mohawk Institute itself, extending the exhibition’s themes into theatre and performance.
“The exhibition aims to encourage learning, reflection and community connection through art and storytelling.”
By placing quilts, narratives and live performance side by side, the reception is intended to provide multiple entry points for visitors to consider Survivors’ experiences and the relationship between the river, the land and the communities along it.
How to visit
The show is presented by the Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford at the former Mohawk Institute Residential School. The exhibition schedule and reception details are below.
| Event | Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhibition run | July 20–August 15 | Venue hours | Former Mohawk Institute Residential School (Woodland Cultural Centre) |
| Opening reception | Thursday, July 23 | 6–8:30 p.m. | Former Mohawk Institute Residential School |
Why it matters for Brantford
Brantford residents live at a pivotal point along the Grand River, and the exhibition’s focus on stories from across the watershed ties regional experiences together in one local space. The quilts recognize Residential School Survivors while reflecting community connections that continue to shape the area. For those seeking opportunities to learn through the arts, the show offers a locally grounded forum to consider personal and shared histories.
- Exhibition You Are Not Forgotten runs July 20–August 15 at the former Mohawk Institute in Brantford.
- Features Quilts for Survivors by the Six Nations Piecemakers Quilt Club.
- Includes the Grand River Quilt Project with 70+ squares paired with stories or poems.
- Opening reception on Thursday, July 23, 6–8:30 p.m., with theatre performances.
The exhibition’s placement within the former Residential School underscores its focus on honouring Survivors and inviting reflection. With contributions from artists and residents who live along the river, it centres voices that speak to memory, resilience and connection within and around Brantford.
