For President Wendy Goulet, Cadotte Lake Métis Nation, the KAIROS Blanket Exercise is about more than learning history - it’s about building relationships and understanding the people in our communities.  

“If you’d like to be a good neighbour, you’re going to learn about your neighbours,” she shared while reflecting on a recent KAIROS Blanket Exercise with the Energy Alberta team.

Facilitated by President Goulet, alongside Elder Priscilla Lalonde of the Driftpile Cree Nation, the experience invited participants to listen, reflect and gain a deeper understanding of the histories and lived experiences of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. It also created space for meaningful conversations about reconciliation, respect and the importance of learning from one another.

The Blanket Exercise was developed following the Oka Crisis and the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in the 1990s. Created in partnership with Indigenous organizations and communities, it guides participants through key moments in Canadian history from an Indigenous perspective. This particular Blanket Exercise was localized for the Peace Region for the team advancing the Peace River Nuclear Power Project.

“When you’re going into Indigenous communities, it’s a whole different world,” she explained. “Doing something like this kind of gives that understanding.”

For President Goulet, the participation of Energy Alberta's leadership helped reinforce the value of the experience.

“It was really meaningful that Scott [the President and CEO] was there,” she said. “We don’t often see that level of participation from senior leadership. To me, it showed that the interest and commitment were genuine.”

The exercise reflected the importance of local voices and local stories. To create the localized script used during the session, organizers worked directly with Elders and representatives from communities connected to the Peace Region, including Woodland Cree First Nation, Cadotte Lake Métis Nation, Lubicon Lake Band and Duncan’s First Nation. Participants heard the names and stories of people from those communities woven directly into the experience - grounding the exercise in the realities of the region itself.

At its heart, the experience was about approaching conversations with empathy, openness and a willingness to listen. One of the most powerful moments came afterward during the sharing circle.  

“It was really honestly powerful. If somebody’s coming to the Blanket Exercise with an open mind and an open heart, then they’ll come out of it with something to gain.”

As Energy Alberta continues engagement connected to the Peace River Nuclear Power Project, experiences like the Blanket Exercise are helping build understanding and relationships grounded in respect - because trust begins with taking the time to understand one another.

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