Cindy Connell talks with the founder of Quilts for Survivors
Late last spring, as the remains of children were being uncovered in the burial plots on the grounds of former residential schools, Vanessa Génier of Timmins, ON, started a new Facebook group. The goal was to ask quilters to donate enough blocks to assemble 18 quilts to honour survivors of the residental school system. To date, the group has almost 4,500 members, more than 850 quilts have been gifted, and the team has developed the capacity to continue making quilts indefinitely.
In mid-December, Cindy Connell spoke with Vanessa, to learn more about Quilts for Survivors, and to get to know the woman whose vision fuels this remarkable and important project.
Vanessa teaches Zoom classes every three weeks for quilters across North America, to raise funds, and to teach the art of quilting. Here, she is showing quilters how to make a block for the quilt that hangs behind her.
Top photo: Vanessa Génier (L) and Cheryl Macumber (R) present a quilt to Clara Wiske.
How long have you been quilting?
I have been quilting since I was nine years old. I learned from a wonderful neighbour who was an amazing quilter. I am 41, so I have been quilting for 32 years.
How did the Quilt for Survivors project begin? What were your expectations?
I started the group with the idea that I should do something to honour the
survivors of residential schools. With the news coming out of British Columbia and other places about the bodies of children being found on the grounds of former schools, I just knew I had to do something. I was also moved by the individuals who chose to walk, bike, canoe, etc., to raise awareness of residential schools in Canada. I knew I needed to do something. Being a single mother and having five children ages 4-21, I knew that I could not leave them, so I needed to find something I could do from home, and still work and raise my children.
I decided that I would make some quilts and give them to the survivors. I went on Facebook June 27, 2021, and asked other quilters to send me one block so I could sew them together to make quilts to send to the survivors.
Thanks to a donation from Vanessa’s employer, Quilts for Survivors now has studio space for several volunteers to work at a time, to store supplies in, and even quilting classes.
This project is very important to you personally. What does this project mean to you?
I am so honoured to be a part of such an amazing group. I believe that a quilt is a symbol of support, respect, and love. I wish for these quilts to aid survivors on their healing journey. My great grand-parents where residential school survivors; my grandfather was hidden in the bush so he wouldn’t have to attend a school. This was a way to honour their memory and to honour the memory of the children who never made it home. Our teachings also say that our actions will impact the next seven generations that follow. So, this is also for all of those children as well.
What was the biggest challenge you faced that you didn’t anticipate when beginning this project? (Also, how did you make the time/space?!)
The tremendous amount of support I have received. My goal was 18 quilts. As of December 8, 2021, we have sent out 836 and I have requests for 411, with more each day! It is beyond my wildest dreams. We have received blocks and quilts from across Canada, USA, Norway, and Australia. In fact, a quilt guild in Australia wishes to send us quilts in reciprocity for all the blocks and quilts they received from Canada when they requested tree blocks in the wake of the bush fires in early 2020.
I never thought about the amount of administration that I would have to do to keep up with the requests and organization of the distribution of the quilts, along with the donations of fabric and batting. I have often said my house looks like a quilt shop. We were blessed with a donation of a studio space here in Timmins where
volunteers and donations can be now stored and worked on. We are in the
process of applying for Registered Charity status, and we now hope to continue to make quilts forever!
How many messages are you getting on an average day, and how do you manage to return them?
I receive anywhere from 20 to 100 messages a day. I answer most in the evening. I answer the ones I can right away, and the others that need addresses or specific information, I wait until I am at the computer to answer. I try to spend about an hour on the computer per night adding names to the list and sending off names. Most times this is not enough time. I also take screen shots of requests so that I can later just go look at my photos and answer based on these “notes”. I do spend a bit more time doing the administration part when my younger children are with their dad.
As for sewing, I sew every Wednesday afternoon, an arrangement made with my wonderful boss. My volunteers come over and we work together. My mom, bless her, she comes over almost daily while my dad is at work, to sew and do what she can. On weekends when my children are with their dad, we also get together at least one day or evening to sew. I also try to quilt one or two quilts on weekends when the kids are home.
Survivors displays their quilts during a ceremony in Timmins, ON, in November, 2021.
Seeing some of the survivors receive their quilts is very emotional for them, for you, and for the quilters who have contributed to the project. Do some of those stories stand out for you?
There are some that stand out. One gentleman said that he never gets packages and to have received our quilts was amazing. Another lady said she has never received a quilt ever, and she was in her 80s, and she will cherish it for the rest of her life. Another survivor said that he plans to use the quilt as an heirloom. It will be gifted to the youngest grandchild when he passes.
I think every part of this project is rewarding. I love when someone said ‘what a legacy for your children to have’. One thing that is rewarding that I didn’t think of when starting this project was how it would cause people to want to become educated in my culture and traditions. People are going out and looking for answers from elders, books, movies, and the internet. It is just amazing.
You are a natural at generating interest and keeping people well informed and engaged! What strengths do you have that you feel are helping you manage this project, and all its details, so well?
The Eagle Clan (Migizi Dodem) people hold roles as Spiritual leaders in our communities and help us to live in balance with all that surrounds us. I am Eagle Clan and I get my strength from my clan. I am a very determined person, well organized, and a visionary. I feel that my love of serving is a great strength in keeping this project running smoothly. I also know that my education in business and bookkeeping is also a great help.
Patti Fitzmaurice: “I am a member of Pikwakanagan First Nation and I am a 60s scoop survivor. I was separated from my family at birth and in foster care until the age of three. At the age of 55, I met my nine brothers and sisters. The creator of my beautiful quilt is Paulette Lajeunesse, and I am so grateful for the beautiful work she did. I can feel the love in every stitch. Thank you to Quilts for Survivors and Vanessa Génier for their compassion and thoughtfulness. This brings me great comfort and validation.”
So many people want to support the survivors of the residential school system in some way, and you seem to have the support of your family and friends. Are there any people in particular you would like to thank for helping Quilt for Survivors thrive?
My children Wallace and Josée I would like to thank first, as they live in this quilt shop daily, and are willing to share me with the country every day. Josée calls these Healing Quilts! My other children who are supportive and will do anything, from listening to my stories, sewing, organizing, or making supper.
My mom who comes daily to sew and help. My best friend Melanie who is my listening ear and offers advice and makes sure I rest. My amazing boss Jeanna who gives me time to work on my project, has donated time and money to the project, and mentions it every chance she can. And, of course, my dad who has always supported me in everything.
Last, but far from least, my amazing team of helpers here in Timmins, and everyone who is helping across Canada and beyond. Without them I would only be on quilt five, maybe.
Lisa-Marie Twigg: “My Indigenous name is Mamia’stakakii (Mountain Fish Woman), but I come from the prairies, so this Buffalo (iinii) brings me home. Thank you to all the beautiful people who helped put this together. I love it! I was the last person in my family to go to residential school on the Blood Kainai Reserve part of the Blackfoot Nation. Even though I went, I have seen the effects on my late baby sister, and still today with my baby brother. Even though they stayed home, I feel they got it worse. So nice to see that people care and be connected this way. Keep up the great work and I will cherish it forever.”
You can find more information about Quilts for Survivors in the Facebook group, on Instagram @quilts_for_survivors, and at quiltsforsurvivors.ca.
Vanessa and her team are happy to accept 16.5″ unfinished blocks or completed 48″ x 64″ quilt tops, preferably with some orange fabric included. Please: no travel or school themes, as these can trigger bad memories for survivors. Monetary donations of any amount, fabric, batting, and thread are also welcome. Please contact Vanessa at vanessa@quiltsforsurvivors.ca.
