The Story of Quilts for Survivors

My name is Vanessa Genier. I am an Indigenous mother from Missanabie First Nation in Ontario. I have a passion for quilting, and I believe that a quilt is love sewn together. It is something that can bring people together through warmth, comfort, and care.

In the spring of 2021, the news of 215 children being found in unmarked graves shook many of us to our core. Like so many people across Turtle Island, I felt grief, anger, and heartbreak. I also felt a deep need to do something meaningful. I wanted to create something that could hold Survivors and families gently, something that could offer comfort, recognition, and love during a time when so much pain was being carried.

That is where Quilts for Survivors began.

In June 2021, I started a Facebook group and invited other quilters to join me in creating quilt blocks to honour Residential School Survivors. At the start, I hoped to make 18 quilts, using 215 blocks plus one as a way of honouring the 215 children and making sure every child was remembered. The blocks were originally 16 and a half inches, and I expected it would take time.

Instead, quilters across Canada responded right away. They began sewing blocks, sending fabric, sharing skills, and putting their hearts into every stitch. Within the first month, we had already surpassed our goal. What began as a small act of care quickly grew into a community-led movement rooted in love, action, and collective healing.

At first, we worked out of my home. Quilts were made, sorted, and packed in whatever space we could find. As the number of quilts grew, and as the need became clearer, we realized we needed a dedicated space to keep the work going. In the fall of 2021, we moved into our first studio space. This was a significant step forward, allowing us to welcome more volunteers, organize supplies, and create quilts more consistently.


As the work continued to grow, so did the support. In September 2022, Quilts for Survivors had two staff members, strengthening our ability to coordinate volunteers, manage requests, and support the growing number of quilts being made and shipped. Over time, we added more roles, including long-arm quilters, studio assistants, and summer students. Each role helped ensure quilts could continue reaching Survivors and families across Canada.

In November 2023, we moved into a larger studio space, giving us more room to sew, store, and prepare quilts for shipment. With each move, each new volunteer, and each new staff member, we continued to build something strong. It is an organization rooted in community care, guided by respect, and driven by the belief that Survivors deserve to be honoured.

In August 2024, we moved into our new home, our studio on Legion Drive. This space became more than a studio. It became Zaagi’ine Gamig — Place That Gives Love, a home for community care, quilting, and healing work. While we have had a Board of Directors in place, our Board has taken a more active role as we continue to strengthen our organization and plan for long-term sustainability. Over the years, Quilts for Survivors has grown with the support of many staff members, volunteers, and community partners. Although we are currently down to two staff members, our work continues every day because people believe in what this project stands for and continue to show up with love and support.

As of December 2025, Quilts for Survivors has gifted over 8,300 quilts to Survivors and families. Each one represents time, care, and love. Each one is a reminder that Survivors are not forgotten.

We are still growing, still learning, and still building. We are working continuously to strengthen our systems, improve our organization, and ensure the way we do this work remains Survivor-centred, respectful, and safe. Above all, we look forward to continuing this journey, gifting quilts, holding space, and showing up with warmth and love for Survivors and families across Turtle Island.