How it works: overview

1. A Project of Heart kit will be purchased.  The number of tiles in the kit will correspond to a pre-determined number that has immediate relevance for the partnering group involved.  Each wooden tile represents the death of one Aboriginal child due to the Indian Residential Schooling (IRS) experience.

2. Partner group (school, worship community, workplace etc.) will do research to learn more about the IRSs and their impact on the students and their communities. Resource materials will be made available by P.O.H.

3. Partnering group will choose an IRS whose children will be commemorated.

4. Partnering group will learn something about the Indigenous people upon whose traditional territory the chosen IRS stands (or stood), and research contributions of that people to Canadian society, past or present.

5. Each group will decorate the number of tiles in the kit. On one tile side, the participant will decorate the surface of the block in indelible coloured pens. The edge of the tile will be painted black.  On the other side, the participant will state the name of the school and the town or city it was the nearest to.

6. A photograph of individual participants will be taken to accompany future displays of the installation. If participants are under the age of 18, permission will be obtained from a parent or guardian.

7. After decoration, an Elder and/or RS survivor will be invited to speak with the learners. A ceremonial smudging of the tiles by the invited Elder or survivor will conclude the speaking engagement.

8. The learners will research a current issue of relevance to the local Indigenous community proceed with an “action” to address that issue.  Alternatively, they may research an issue that affects all Canadian Indigenous peoples and express their concern to the appropriate official or administrator.  Copies of letters may be sent to POH for uploading to POH website.

9. The smudged blocks and participant photos will be sent to the POH central location.

The Traveling Display

1. After all the Indian Residential Schools’ death tolls have been commemorated, the various steps of the project completed, and the tiles returned, the display is ready for shipment to hosting locations.

2. On receiving the project, the hosts decide how it will best be displayed. When the display is over, the project is shipped back to the central depot.