The Resiliency Project is made possible by the Resiliency Blanket, designed by Native artist and owner of Soul Curiosity, Tessa Sayers. Her desire to give back to her indigenous community inspired the Resiliency Project, a partnership with the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and Dr. Tami Jollie-Trottier, owner of GenerationArt. Believing in the power of art and its ability to help heal, 100% of the blanket profits support GenerationArt workshops meant to empower courage and resilience within the Turtle Mountain tribal community. The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa matches the total funds raised. Since November 2019, the blanket has raised over $26,000.
Soul Curiosity, in partnership with GenerationArt, accomplished the following through blanket donations on the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Reservation:
- Art kits to 49 individuals, child welfare, Turtle Mountain Community High School, and Turtle Mountain Middle School
- Books and individual art kits to child welfare
- Art kits, two sewing machines, fabric, and additional sewing supplies to domestic violence shelter Hearts of Hope, who hosted a community art night with women and children
- Three sewing kits to individuals and Hearts of Hope
- Art kits to Little Steps Daycare and Joyful Beginnings Daycare
- Beading supplies to be used by a Turtle Mountain Community instructor for community craft nights
- 10 art kits and a community craft table donated to the Belcourt Retirement Home residents
- Six beach tie dye home kits
- 100 art kits for GenerationArt Indigenous Education professional development training
- Two GenerationArt interns to manage and execute the above projects and programs
*Art kits included a variation of the following:
markers, crayons, paint, paintbrushes, canvas, glue, glue gun, scissors, sketch pad, pencils, colored pencils, easels, stamps, ink pad, aprons, books, stickers, oil pastels, and rulers
