Warning: this story contains discussion of residential schools and abuse.

At first glance, the talking quilt is a large blanket rimmed with colour and dressed with patches. To Sandra Head, it "was, and is, a vessel of healing."

Head is a member of the Peter Chapman Band, which falls under the umbrella of James Smith Cree Nation. She was among a group of about 15 women from James Smith who sewed the talking quilt and opened up to each other as they did.

It became known as the talking quilt because …