CMS recently hosted a series of weaving workshops led by Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) master weavers and community leaders, Chepximiya Siyam’ Chief Janice George and Skwetsimeltxw Willard ‘Buddy’ Joseph.
This workshop series unfolded over three consecutive Saturdays—April 20, April 27, and May 4—from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., offering a total of 9 hours of immersive, hands-on instruction.
Chepximiya Siyam’ Janice George
Co-sponsored by the Bridging Divides research program, the CMS Narratives Research Group, the CMS Migration & Indigeneity Research Group, and the Borders Research Group, this event was dedicated to fostering cultural awareness through the ancestral art of Coast Salish wool weaving, which brings with it many insights into living on these unceded territories. Chepximiya Siyam’ Janice George, a hereditary chief, museum curator and educator, alongside Skwetsimeltxw Willard ‘Buddy’ Joseph, former director of Squamish Housing and Capital Projects, shared their extensive knowledge and cultural heritage, making the workshop series a memorable and meaningful experience for all involved.
Throughout the series, participants engaged with the traditions of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) weaving, starting with properly warping the loom, progressing through various fundamental techniques (twill, diamond twill, etc.), and concluding with learning how to tuck threads remove the weaving from the loom. Each attendee crafted their own wool wall hanging, embedding personal creativity into a fabric of cultural significance.
During the workshops, Chief Janice George and Elder Buddy Joseph also discussed the profound significance of woven robes in ceremonial practices, emphasizing their symbolic importance within the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh culture, as well as their place in contemporary First Nations society. They shared insights into how weavers draw inspiration from the land, incorporating natural elements and landscapes into their designs. This enriched the participants’ understanding of the deep connections between the weaving techniques they were learning and the broader cultural and spiritual practices of the community.
CMS is deeply honoured and grateful to have had this opportunity to learn from Chepximiya Siyam’ Janice George and Skwetsimeltxw Willard ‘Buddy’ Joseph; may we and all who participated carry the seeds of these practices and teachings, and continue to learn from them in humility.
Relive the highlights from the Weaving Workshop Series in photos:
