Beginning Weaving: Coast Salish Style (A)

Coast Salish Wool Weaving is the indigenous weave style to the people of the Salish Sea. This area encompasses the coast of North America from the Bute Inlet in British Columbia South through Western Washington and north of the Columbia River in Oregon. We will learn about the historical and contemporary significance that these weavings bestow both upon the weaver and the recipient.  We will begin to understand what Hereditary Chief of the Squamish Nation Janice George said: “weaving is part of the Salish tree of life; from the roots of this tree grow the teachings that form the Coast Salish worldview."

In this beginning weaving course, you will learn about the traditional Coast Salish two-bar loom with floating third bar. We will also be introduced to mathematical concepts that are inherit in the geometry of weaving. By the conclusion of our course, you will successfully warp the loom and start and finish a small twill pattern weaving, then gift it away per the established indigenous protocol.