Welcome to the KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE)
Enter with a desire of learning the truth. The truth we were never taught before.
Exit with a new appreciation and understanding of the history of First Nations, Inuit and later Métis people on these lands now called Canada.
We invite you to join us and embark on a journey of understanding the truth Indigenous Peoples still live with today and the part we all play in reconciliation.
About the KAIROS Blanket Exercise
The KAIROS Blanket Exercise is a powerful experiential teaching and learning tool designed to deepen understanding of the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization on Indigenous peoples in Canada and the world. The Exercise uses blankets to represent the land. It guides participants through key historical events, such as pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization and resistance. This immersive experience helps participants understand the ongoing impacts of these events on Indigenous Peoples.
The KAIROS Blanket Exercise is available virtually as well, helping to ensure that it reaches remote groups and communities.
All KAIROS Blanket Exercises are Indigenous-led, with partners certified through Indigenous-led Facilitator Training by Instructors who bring years of experience and a wealth of knowledge, ensuring that each exercise honours Indigenous traditions and perspectives.
The KAIROS Blanket Exercise was initially developed in collaboration with Indigenous Elders and educators to ensure it accurately reflected Indigenous perspectives and experiences.
Contact Us
To learn more about how to host or attend a KAIROS Blanket Exercise training session, please contact kbe@kairoscanada.org.
If you’d like to receive training for the KAIROS Blanket Exercise, please note that training is accessible only to partners of the KBE program, who have a signed cooperation agreement.
For partners, 3 courses are currently offered. Please specify the course you’re interested in.
- Facilitator Training: in-person training for individuals who have never delivered a KAIROS Blanket Exercise in the past. This training is for anyone who wishes to begin their facilitation journey.
- Instructor Training: in-person training for individuals who are experienced KAIROS Blanket Exercise facilitators. This training certifies individuals to deliver the facilitator training course.
- Recertification Training: online course for all active KAIROS Blanket Exercise facilitators. The objective of this course is to allow active facilitators to reflect, refresh and build their facilitation skills.
To inquire about training, please contact kbe@kairoscanada.org.
The KAIROS Blanket Exercise partnership model
The current KBE Program operates as a Partnership Model.
What does a Partnership Model mean?
In the past, organizations and groups booked blanket exercises through KAIROS’ KBE coordinators. Today KAIROS’ Indigenous Partners deliver blanket exercises for organizations and groups. Their fees vary, based on travel and other specific requirements for your organization.
KAIROS has also partnered with organizations, universities and government agencies to deliver the Blanket Exercise internally to staff. It is required that Indigenous Peoples lead the Blanket Exercise.
KAIROS Blanket Exercise – global
The KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE) has grown beyond Canada through collaboration with partners worldwide. Working closely with Indigenous organizations and communities, KAIROS has supported the development of localized scripts for Australia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and the United States, including Alaska and New York. Each adaptation reflects unique colonial histories and Indigenous experiences while maintaining the KBE’s core methodology of experiential learning and dialogue. In Australia in 2022 and New Zealand in 2025, KAIROS worked with partners to present the first World Blanket Exercise at the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education in.
Organizations outside Canada interested in exploring the KBE are invited to contact the KAIROS Blanket Exercise Global and Newcomer Coordinator.