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Honouring Homeland and her Beings: Weaving Conference 2009

Honouring Homeland Weaving Conference took place at Simon Fraser University March 27-29, 2009. This event was the first aboriginal weavers teaching weaving conference occurring at a post-secondary institution in Canada.  Featuring aboriginal weaving teachers from Canada and the United States,   Honouring Homeland provided a unique venue to relay their expertise to conference students.  Over two hundred weavers and weaving students were brought together at our conference each day, and over two hundred-fifty visitors attended our opening event. (Click image to view gallery)

The weekend began Friday March 27th with an opening prayer from elder Audrey Rivers, and welcome song by SLCC youth ambassadors Willie Lewis and Allison Burns, for the celebratory unveiling of hand crafted woven blankets by L'hen Awtxw weaving house. Master weavers Chief Janice George and Willard Joseph coordinated the creation of the largest collection of contemporary Coast Salish weavings in Canada, 16 blankets telling the story of Burnaby Mountain as the original teacher of this location. The honoured blanket weavers are Marcie Baker, Speleixilh Anjeanette Dawson, Siyaltenaat Joy Joseph McCullough, Xwemilut Lisa Lewis, Ketalwet Kim Seward, Charlene Williams, and Utahstenaut Peggy Williams.

Speakers offering good, inspirational words, included Kakaltn Siyam Chief Gibby Jacobs (Squamish), and the Honourable Xwe li qwel tel  Steven L. Point who helped us in our cultural work, blanketing our honourees, feasting with us, and took time to interact with celebration coordinators and attendees, strengthening, encouraging, and building community. A traditional Coast Salish Witnessing ceremony was conducted by Squamish Nation floorman Robert Nahanee, and Secretary Mitzi Jones, honouring First Nations artisans, such as Mrs. Rena Point Bolton, Wendy John (Musqueam), and Bill and Fran James (Lummi), our family of helpers, and Simon Fraser University personnel. The ceremony was followed with singing and dancing by Willie Nahanee, Ingried Gervin and Welh Tima Kexwusem Culture Bringing Us Together, and Bob Baker, S7aplek, Lanakila and Vanessa Gonzales.

Honouring Homeland achieved more than exposing individuals of different backgrounds to the cultural history, skill, and artistry involved in weaving. It was symbolic in eroding the exclusivity of the University setting by honouring different types of knowledge in an environment customarily oriented toward Western knowledge and value systems. Both attendees and instructors did not require university degrees to teach or participate. Honouring Homeland provided a weekend to learn, teach, create friendships, and promote community cohesion. Participants, who came and learned, brought knowledge back to their home and communities, inspiring others. We are grateful that students traveled from communities such as Prince Rupert, Terrace, Sechelt, and Merritt, in Canada and Washington State, representing over 12 native nations. We were deeply honoured by the presence of master weavers, Elders, Hereditary and elected Chiefs, councillors, spiritual, community, and SFU leaders, students, community members, and others. 

Thank you all for making this an unforgettable weekend!