#Quw'utsun

[auressea]

A good day..

I had the joy and privilege to attend a Traditional Wool Crafting Workshop with Quw'utsun' Elder May Sam.

May is a Salish Knitter by birthright; as a child she supported the family's efforts to produce "Cowichan Knit" sweaters. May is over 70 and a survivor of the Duncan Indian Day School. She Still processes wool, spins and knits her family's traditional designs into hats and headbands, sweaters and pouches. She also teaches and offers workshops throughout island communities. She is an Esteemed Elder in Residence at UVic, and a lovely warm person. I first met her at the First People's House when I attended Uni.

Today we made pompoms! I'll have a few new ones to go with the one May taught me to make over 10 years ago. (It's worn down!)

for me personally though.. the BEST part of this experience:

this Indigenous great-grandmother looked at me (spinning on a drop-spindle) and she spoke to me, and about me, and described what I was doing to the group.. and NEVER ONCE mis-gendered me.

She clocked that I'm non-binary and never once used a gendered pronoun! Astonishing! this has never happened to me before. I feel so seen and respected. Gender Euphoria!

#Quw'utsun #Tsartlip #elder May Sam #indigenous culture #cultural exchange #fibre arts #salish knitting #wool processing #just queer things #gender nonconforming #gender euphoria #international fibre nerds #landback #with gratitude #all our relations #makers #felting

[myloverarlo]

Let’s do this. (at Unceded Quw'utsun Territory) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpjKdAJJwEg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[violetsandshrikes]

Tyrone Elliott is a Snuneymuxw'/Quw'utsun cedar weaver, who creates bags, jewellery and other beautiful pieces of craftmanship - I highly recommend checking out his work on his site and perhaps purchasing a piece!

#i'm so in love #like genuinely beautiful work #support indigenous artists #signal boost #impotant #support #mutual aid #cedar weaving

[ancestorsalive]

“Nobody knows if humans will survive this crossing, if we’ll leave anything habitable behind for future generations, but I believe our global catastrophe is a clarion call to our highest abilities. Whether we’ll be successful or not, we must give everything we have to doing what we believe is right. We are but disappearing comets who must summon the grace to accept our fate while working to leave an elegant and contributive streak behind us as we go.”

~ Excerpt from “Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home” by Toko-pa Turner (belongingbook.com) Bottom Image: Quw'utsun' Made © Be A Good Ancestor sticker

#toka-pa #belonging #Ancestors Alive! #Quw'utsun' Made © #Be A Good Ancestor #future generations

[aportatextiles]

Back in stock, hand made Tobacco and Cedar candles by @quwutsunmade ✨ Arianna Johnny-Wadsworth, Quw'utsun' Made, is a Proud Daughter of the Quw'utsun'/Cowichan Peoples. She was born in Duncan, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Unceded Coast Salish Territory. Quw'ustun' Made is a project to preserve the traditional knowledge of the Coast Salish Nation in order to pass it on to the next generations. She believes that people today will only find true healing by cultivating their sacred relationship with the natural world. https://www.instagram.com/p/CMR8BH3pWhN/?igshid=b9zwdsu0ubc1

[ashleyfoot]

2021 is already bringing the green. (at Unceded Quw'utsun Territory) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJpL8rRjetC/?igshid=djdwcldm4kp8

[onward-and-inward]

When you run dry Of hope Of love Of joy Fill up by the river After a rainstorm Where the water runs cool and sweet Where you can toss your sorrows To drift away Tangled with fallen branches And fill up your cup With new gifts from upstream Quw'utsun River (at Cowichan River)

[yazsqueen-blog]

Proud to support my sister in her endeavours. Looking for natural products with a cause? Quw’utsun’ Made sells beautifully handcrafted products while supporting the preservation of Indigenous ancestral  knowledge of the natural environment. Check out her website and enjoy!

#Native #Indigenous #Quw'utsun' #apothecary #natural products #natural apothecary

[skelegant]

SO pleased 🙌🏽 to be performing for a music fest that is supporting indigenous resurgence. The proceeds will support grassroots indigenous efforts towards protecting the land and healing the people. This weekend I'll be w The Blooming 🌸 on the main stage at noon this Sunday, September 10th (located on Quw’utsun Territory (Cowichan Bay) @ Providence Farm. Front line updates! Plant walks with Della Rice! Full schedule here • http://koksilahfestival.com/schedule/ #quw'utsun #cowichan #musicfestival #resurgence #waterislife (at Providence Farm)

#quw #musicfestival #waterislife #resurgence #cowichan

[myloverarlo]

If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be? Me: a Maple tree (at Unceded Quw'utsun Territory) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnBfZU2uNAv/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[myloverarlo]

Life is far from perfect over here but it is good, rich soil for growing character and perspective. Covid, atmospheric rivers, busted pipes, flooded basement, ailing family too far away. Love, warm dry beds, help when we need it, the good sense to know we gotta be grateful. Love to you, each of you, for who you are and what you’re navigating in your own life. (I have this image of us all linking arms and squeezing tight.) (at Unceded Quw'utsun Territory) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmtD8hFOw0v/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[myloverarlo]

Twas the night before Christmas… (at Unceded Quw'utsun Territory) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmlHrUoOD1K/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[myloverarlo]

at Unceded Quw'utsun Territory https://www.instagram.com/p/CmZ6FypyzeI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[myloverarlo]

First snow of the year. More to come. (at Unceded Quw'utsun Territory) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClkyD-0O-Ap/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[myloverarlo]

Four little boys at the creek. (at Unceded Quw'utsun Territory) https://www.instagram.com/p/Clfw6Wzu9nU/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[myloverarlo]

Special trip to buy gum tape. Took us three stops to find it. Bought one to gift a friend. For these guys, this is peak living. 😄 (at Unceded Quw'utsun Territory) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjv6Vm3vSK7/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=