KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE) in Edmonton

What is the KBE?

The KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE) is an experiential teaching tool rooted in participatory popular education methods that explores the historical and current relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in the land now known as Canada.

The KBE is for in-person groups of 20 to 50 participants.

The KBE can be 2 to 4 hours long, depending on the number of participants.

We serve Edmonton and Northern Alberta!

You can start your organization’s Indigenous reconciliation and allyship journey with a KBE, as it covers all the major historical events occurring in Canadian-Indigenous relations. This is an excellent addition to your organization’s current equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism programs.

By offering the KBE to your employees, you will comply with the education component of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada‘s Call to Action #92 for businesses.

About KBE Facilitator Ian Hopfe

Ian Hopfe is a member of the Bigstone Cree Nation in Northern Alberta Treaty 8 territory and owner of LBH Business Services Inc. He is an HR consultant with a degree from the University of Lethbridge.

As a certified KBE facilitator, Ian can offer you the newest and official version of the KBE.

Ian facilitates the KBE and teaches Indigenous history by weaving in some Indigenous culture and powerful personal and family stories.

History of the KBE

Created in 1997 by the Aboriginal Rights Coalition (ARC), a precursor to KAIROS, the KBE was initially meant to introduce Canadians to the major themes and findings of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP). The Coalition brought together Elders, Indigenous educators, and allies who wanted to make sure that RCAP and its recommendations were not shelved and forgotten.

The KBE is built on the foundation of these long-standing, collaborative initiatives and relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to raise awareness of continuing injustices and impacts of colonization and to promote further learning.

For over two decades, ARC and now KAIROS have guided its ongoing development with the leadership of Elders and Indigenous facilitators across this land.