From Gift to Responsibility: Intergenerational Learning in Action

Presented by Vanessa Genier

Every person carries unique gifts. Within Indigenous teachings, those gifts come with a responsibility—to share them for the benefit of others and future generations.

This presentation explores how a modern-day quilting bee became an intergenerational learning environment where Elders, youth, families, and community members come together with a shared purpose: creating quilts that bring comfort and healing to Survivors. While hands are busy creating, stories are shared, language is spoken, cultural teachings are passed on, and relationships are strengthened.

Participants will discover how purposeful, hands-on learning naturally fosters mentorship, cultural continuity, leadership, and belonging. Although quilting is the example, this approach can be adapted to any community project that brings generations together to learn by doing. Educators will leave with practical ideas for creating meaningful, culturally grounded learning opportunities that honour Indigenous ways of knowing while building stronger connections between youth, Elders, schools, and communities. The presentation is based on the lived experience and ongoing work of Quilts for Survivors, a national charitable organization that has presented more than 9,000 quilts to Survivors of Residential Schools, Day Schools, the Sixties Scoop, and their families. Participants will receive a handout outlining the intergenerational learning model, practical implementation strategies, and reflection questions that can be adapted for schools and community programs.

Resources referenced during the presentation include:

• Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
• National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) – https://nctr.ca
• Indigenous Canada (University of Alberta) – https://www.ualberta.ca/admissions-programs/online-courses/indigenous-canada/index.html
• Quilts for Survivors – https://www.quiltsforsurvivors.ca

Additional resources will include examples of community-based learning, intergenerational engagement, and reflective activities that educators can implement immediately.

Examples of previous presentations by Vanessa Genier include:

• Reconciliation Through Quilts – Quilt Canada 2026
• Presentations to schools, community organizations, Indigenous partners, quilting guilds, and conferences across Canada.