N o v e m b e r E d i t i o n

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W h a t ' s N e x t i n t h e P r o j e c t

127 WINDOWS TOBE REPLACED

73 of the 200 windows of theformer Mohawk Institute Buildinghave been replaced. With eachWindow costing approximately$5000 to replace, our fundraisingefforts are still ongoing.

SURVIVORSTORIES

Currently documenting, recording,and discussing their stories withSurvivors of Residential Schools.This project will capture the storiesand the experiences of real peoplewho lived through it.

MASONRY WORKON BRICKS

One of the next big projects is toreplace the masonry work for theformer Mohawk Institute Building.An estimated 400,000 bricks willneed to be replaced costingapproximately $5 per brick.

WHAT IS THE SAVE THEEVIDENCE CAMPAIGN?The Save the Evidence campaign is an initiative launched bythe Woodland Cultural Centre to raise awareness and supportfor the restoration of the former Mohawk Institute ResidentialSchool Building. The vision is to turn the building into anInterpretive Historic Site and Educational Resource. TheMohawk Institute building itself is only one of a handful ofResidential School buildings left standing in Canada, and theonly one in Ontario that offered guided tours until its closurefor repairs.

WOODLANDCULTURALCENTRE.CA

400,000 BRICKS NEED REPLACING

SAVE THE EVIDENCE UPDATE

It has been five years since the Save the Evidence initiative started at theWoodland Cultural Centre (WCC) and so much has been accomplished. The Mohawk Institute Residential School has undergone very significantphysical changes to ensure preservation; including a completely new roofand support beams were added, a new HVAC system, and a climatecontrolled space for important archival materials. The original floors werestripped and refinished, ceilings were replaced, washrooms were installedand/or restored, old paint and dry wall removed along with mould and thebuilding was fully waterproofed around the foundation. The main entrance was restored as was the cupola and 73 of the historicwindows were replaced. Along with the physical restoration, the WCC has been working withSurvivors on collecting, videotaping and preserving their stories so visitorscan truly understand the history and impact of the school and theresidential school system. This important project could not have happened without everyonecoming together so we need to thank the Survivors for their strength,vision, and determination to Save the Evidence, the many, many faithgroups, schools, service organizations, corporations, small businesses, andindividuals who donated so generously to help realize this importantproject. All levels of government generously supported and worked toSave the Evidence, including the City of Brantford, the Province ofOntario, the Government of Canada and Six Nations Council. We wouldalso like to acknowledge the tremendous support of Laurier Brantford forproviding storage facilities for the WCC Library, Archives and othermaterials and coordinating the major move of all these items.

DONATE ON OURWESBITEF u n d r a i s i n g I d e a s

Make a one-time or monthlydonation and receive acharitable tax receiptHost a fundraising eventRaise awareness about theCampaign by liking uson Facebook, Instagram, andTwitterVisiting the Woodland CulturalCentre to learn firsthand moreabout the history of ResidentialSchools in CanadaSharing our history with yourfamilies, friends, workplaces,service organizations, and faithgroupsEnsuring your children’sschool teaches about andunderstands Indigenoushistory.

There are many ways thatindividuals and groups can getinvolved in the Save the Evidencecampaign.

History needs tobe told by the

people whoexperienced it -

Roberta HillMohawk Institute

Survivor

Be part of the preservation ofthis important part ofhistory. Support theCampaign and help us toSave the Evidence.

WOODLANDCULTURALCENTRE.CA

B y M e l a n i e F e r n a n d e z

Much of the interior restoration has been completed sothe Woodland Cultural Centre will move to the nextmajor phase to restore the exterior of the building andcontinue to work with the Survivors to develop thestoryline and exhibits that will be housed within thebuilding.It will take our collective efforts to Save theEvidence!

SURVIVOR STORY

J o h n E l l i o t ( L e f t ) & L a y l a B l a c k ( R i g h t ) a t t h e S u r v i v o r sG a t h e r i n g 2 0 1 9

John Elliot, went to the Mohawk Institute from 1947-1952. In the VirtualTour of the former building, when asked why it’s important to Save theEvidence he says “Everybody has a plaque, but not everybody has abuilding.” John was initially sent there for truancy, and he jokes that he still hasn’tfound out what truancy means. When he arrived at the school he was ata Grade 3 level, and when he left 5 years later he was only in Grade 5. John was known as the “Runner”. Every year on Christmas he wouldrun away, no matter if he was punished or put into solitaryconfinement. When asked what was the hardest part of it all he said,“Late at night, everything would be quiet, and I would hear the train.That whistle would make me feel so lonesome. So I’d just get up, and I’dbe gone. Didn’t know where I was going, just gone.” Recently John Elliot attended Santee Smith’s performance of The MushHole, and he was asked to go on stage. When the students in theaudience recognized him, they came up to speak with him after. Johnshared how good it felt to know that they had listened and rememberedhim. It was only recently John started telling his story and was surprised athow many people didn’t know anything about Residential Schools. “Ithought everyone knew,” said John.

SURVIVOR SERIES:LAST MONDAY OFTHE MONTHL i m i t e d S e a t i n g

The last Monday of each monthwe hold our Survivor Series eventfrom 10am-12pm. Our Education staff will give ourResidential School presentation,providing insight into the historyof the Mohawk Institute andresidential schools across Canada,as well as a glimpse into the dayto day life of a child at the “MushHole.” Afterwards we will bejoined by one of the Survivorswho will share their stories, andengage with participants in a Q & A. These Survivor Series events arean important part ofunderstanding the effects ofresidential schools on IndigenousPeople and they are open to allmembers of the community. This event requires pre-registration with a maximum of90 guests. 

Everyone has aplaque, but noteveryone has a

building. - JohnElliot

For details on this event or tobook a private Survivor Talk,please contact our Group Toursand Facility Registrar attours@woodlandculturalcentre

WOODLANDCULTURALCENTRE.CA

With growing awareness of this dark partof Canada’s history John is glad thatpeople finally want to know about it, andhe encourages everyone to support theCampaign. “If you walk through thebuilding you can feel it. I’ve never feltanything from a plaque. We have to savethe building.”

THANK YOU/ NYA:WEHThe Woodland Cultural Centre would like to thank all of our donors fortheir contributions to the Save The Evidence campaign. A special thanksto the following donors who have made the Save the Evidence projectpossible.

TORONTO CHINESEMENNONITECHURCH RAISED$4400During the Summer, with the aidof the Mennonite DisasterServices, over 50 youthvolunteered their time at theWoodland Cultural Centrebuilding hand crafted tables,desks, and benches for thereopening of the former MohawkInstitute Residential School.TheToronto Chinese MennoniteChurch was one of theorganizations that participated inthe volunteer efforts. The Toronto Chinese MennoniteChurch launched a bake sale, asoup cook off, a ThanksgivingDinner, Youth Sharing andspecial offering from 3congregations within theirchurch. They were able todonate $4400 to the Save theEvidence Campaign.

I felt a sense ofresponsibility to sharewhat we learned andhelp raise awareness

about residentialschools and the

impact it has (andcontinues to have) on

Indigenouscommunities with our

friends, family andcommunity. - Sandy

Yuen

WOODLANDCULTURALCENTRE.CA

$500 – $1500 will receive and invitation to a reception at the AnnualSurvivors Gathering$1500 – $5000 will receive an invitation for a preview tour of theMohawk Institute restoration plus above.$5000 – $20,000 will be recognized on the Donor wall within theMohawk Institute plus above.$20,000 + will receive a copy of our Mohawk Institute Videodetailing its history.

DONATION LEVELS

MAKE A DONATIONf o r # G i v i n g T u e s d a y

Attached below you will see our Donation Form. It would be great tosee the community rallying around the Save the Evidence Campaign,and making a big difference this year for #GivingTuesday We have set a Goal to Save 1000 Bricks on #GivingTuesday  Start coordinating your Fundraising events now, so that on Dec 3rdyou're able to be part of the National Awareness Campaign to DOGOOD. Do you have a fundraising idea? Our Save the Evidence Coordinator,Carley Gallant-Jenkins would love to help! We can share some successstories from some of our top Donors, help with the planning andexecution, and also give you lots of exposure on our Social Media sites! Reach out to Carley by email: ste@woodlandculturalcentre.ca

#GIVINGTUESDAY This year Giving Tuesday falls onDecember 3, which is theTuesday after Black Friday andCyber Monday. #GivingTuesday harnesses thepotential of social media and thegenerosity of people around theworld to bring about real changein their communities; it providesa platform for them to encouragethe donation of time, resourcesand talents to address localcommunity challenges. It also brings together thecollective power of a uniqueblend of partners – nonprofits,civic organizations, businessesand corporations, as well asfamilies and individuals – toencourage and amplify small actsof kindness. Across Canada andaround the world, GivingTuesday unites communities bysharing our capacity to care forand empower one another.

PAYMENT DETAILS ▢ I have enclosed a cheque(payable to Woodland Cultural Centre) ▢ Donate online(www.woodlandculturalcentre.ca/donate/) 

Charitable registration number: 891177990RR0001 Woodland Cultural Centre respects your privacy. We protect your personal information andadhere to all legislative requirements with respect to protecting privacy. We do not rent,sell ortrade our mailing lists. The information you provide will be used to deliver services and to keepyou informed and up-to-date on the activities of Woodland Cultural Centre and Save theEvidence through periodic contact. If at any time you wish to be removed from any of these lists,simply contact Woodland Cultural Centre at 519-759-2650