Chepximiya Siyam’ Chief Janice George graduated from Capilano University, North Vancouver BC, and the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, NM, USA. She feels her education at these schools helped her excel as a teacher, adding to her most important and cherished traditional teachings. She is a hereditary chief, trained museum curator and educator. George most recently was artist in residence with the Indigo Arts Alliance in April 2023. George is a textile artist and brought back Coast Salish Weaving to Squamish people along with her husband. Public art includes, co designer of soon to be new Vancouver Art Gallery facade, Arcteryx Park Royal Art designer, N’Chkay new office art designer, Simon Fraser interior design with Urban Arts Architecture Vancouver.

Janice also has collaborations with the Burritt Brothers for hand knotted and commercial carpeting murals around Vancouver. As well as weavings in Simon Fraser University, Arcteryx Park Royal, Squamish and Lilwat Cultural Centre, among many others.

_____________________

“In this short time of my weaving life, a few of my mentors have left this earth. Their breath is carried on in the teachings I pass on. I feel and see the pride that comes from reclaiming our inheritance from our elders and ancestors when we weave and when we wear our beloved weavings. We are taught spiritual protection is part of what we are wearing and feel the love that is put in each hand movement it takes to make a robe.” 

-from indigo arts alliance

sa’hLa mitSa - Dr. Susan Pavel, Filipina by birth, first learned Coast Salish

wool weaving during the summer of 1996. Her master teacher was subiyay -

Bruce Miller of the Skokomish Nation, Uncle to her husband chixApKaid –

Michael Pavel. Each summer she would take three full months to produce one

ceremonial blanket and then gift it to elders of the tribe. By the fourth year it

was suggested to sell her creations as an exchange of gifts and she started along

that path. By the seventh year she was invited to teach weaving classes with

Tribal Nations and has taught hundreds of students. She has curated,

participated in, and solo exhibited in 12 museum exhibits and over 25 gallery

exhibits. She has been awarded 17 artist-in-residence or grant opportunities.

She has over 30 bibliographic acknowledgements. She has consistently taught,

presented, and/or demonstrated for 25 years. Her weavings can be seen in 10

public venues and numerous private collections across the nation. She currently

serves as the Executive Director of the Coast Salish Wool Weaving Center. As

well as an adjunct faculty member at The Evergreen State College. Today she

continues to weave and teach, as she is obedient to SQ3Tsya’yay – Weaver’s

Spirit Power.

_____________________

"I first and foremost weave for ceremonial reasons, both when the spirit moves me and when an occasion such as a naming, wedding, birth, death, and life passage arises. I create educational exhibits in community spaces because I strongly believe in sharing knowledge with the public. When we observe and participate, we appreciate the weaving and culture much more. I weave because I was entrusted with the sacred obligation to pass on the teachings to our next generations, resulting in classes and presentations. I exhibit weaving as an art form to share the deeply woven beauty that is the Coast Salish. Above and beyond the “I”, WE weave because we honor SQ3Tsyay”yay ~ Weaver’s Spirit Power."

As a fiber artist and business owner from the Pacific Northwest, Michelle Cohen's mission is to share fiber arts with the communities cultivated around her. Michelle is a co-owner of Indigo Purls and previously started and ran The Black Sheep Yarn Boutique in Olympia, WA. Her business not only provides materials required in fiber arts, but also offers classes and creates a space for community groups to gather.

Michelle has been the Treasurer for the Coast Salish Wool Weaving Center for 6 years; ensuring that the legacy of this organization can thrive and grow. In her free time Michelle is an avid knitter and amazing mother to her three children. Michelle also loves listening to audiobooks and finding new adventures with friends. She loves to travel and will visit any yarn shop where she has visited. Michelle is dedicated to preserving the craft of fiber arts, and supporting Salish Arts in any way possible.

_________________

"My work in the fiber arts is inspired by the generations of knitters locally abd around the world.  I have deep connections with different ways that patterns and colors can come together to create beautiful pieces of wearable art.  I lean toward working with vibrant colors and very soft fibers such as merino wool and alpaca yarn. 

Since starting my business, I have learned to weave and spin as well.  The connection that this brings from the animals and plants to a finished object is so fulfilling.  Being a part of the Coast Salish Wool Weaving Center nonprofit has now given me an additional insight to this art.  As a non native, I am grateful to be included in a circle of people honoring the local weaving traditions and techniques.  I continue to develop my knowledge and history of using fiber in my culture and support any effort to grow the fiber community where I live."

My weavings are inspired by the relationship I have developed with my culture, ancestral lands and water.

I am grounded in my identity as an indigenous woman culture keeper. And believe it is instrumental to communicate various teachings & stories through my weavings & work.

My work is not limited to textile weaving however has an expansive range from medicine making, drumming, singing & dancing, canoeing, basketry, harvesting traditional plant & weaving materials, and processing foods. All of which inspire me daily.
Since I have engaged with the Coast Salish Wool Weaving Center as an Executive Board Member and the Burke Museum and established kinships with my cohort; my vision has expanded.

I was able to visit ancestral weavings and garments at Museums across the United States. My hopes are to be able to bring those items close to home for others to be able to introduce themselves. And, furthermore bridge the gap between our past and present by recreating those ancestral weavings to acknowledge our ancestors continue to live within us.

________________

"SiSeeNaxAlt, also known as Gail White Eagle, is a renowned Muckleshoot Tribal Member with hereditary ties to many Tribes. Deeply rooted in her heritage, SiSeeNaxAlt is celebrated for exceptional skill as a Coast Salish Weaver and her dedication to preserving and sharing her Indigenous Culture.

With over 25 years of weaving experience, SiSeeNaxAlt is a master of her craft. Her work reflects the profound connection she shares with her ancestors, the land and her people.

Beyond her artistry, she is a dedicated cultural educator, as demonstrated by years of serving as a cultural teacher for the Muckleshoot and Chehalis Tribes, Hazel Pete Institute of Basketry, NNABA, and the Living Treasures Program at Crazy Horse Memorial. SiSeeNaxAlt has collaborated with Eighth Generation as an Inspired Native Artist in Coast Salish design developing designs that were utilized in murals, signage, and merchandise.

As a result of her many dedicated years to her culture she now serves as a Collections and Exhibits Specialist for the Muckleshoot Tribe. She aspires to provide care for ancestral items, build on the collection and build bridges with the community."

“We have a twill pattern, twine pattern and tabby pattern,” she says. “I really like to mix them, it reminds me of the blankets I grew up seeing, the significant ones the chiefs would wear and the status that comes with those different pieces. We also have different dyes. We use huckleberries and different natural materials whether it’s nettles, walnuts, madrona bark, you can use commercial dyes as well. Twining really teaches patience. You have to be present when your weaving, if you let your mind wander, you can make a mistake. It’s important because you’re putting yourself into your work, whether you’re a carver or a weaver, you’re bringing that work to life, you’re breathing life into your piece.” - from Tulalip News

Kelly Sullivan is a dedicated member of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, currently serving as the Tribe's Executive Director. With over two decades of service to the tribe, Sullivan's career has been focused on enhancing community health and wellness. Her expertise is complemented by a Master's degree in Public Administration, a tool that equips her with the specialized knowledge to navigate complex tribal challenges and drive positive change.

Beyond her administrative role, Sullivan is a skilled Coast Salish wool weaver. She participates in many teaching events and exhibits around the Coast Salish region to promote these arts. Her connection to her heritage is shown in her passion for preserving and promoting Coast Salish culture and traditions.

_________________

"My work is inspired by the past, and by the people who wear or display my weavings. 

Knowing how to weave and teaching others makes me feel like I am serving my people in a good way. Like I am honoring my ancestors and making them proud. I am humbled and honored to be able to help provide people with important items for ceremonies and important events in their lives where they also feel proud and beautiful. I also love the relationships weaving has brought into my life.

Being part of the wool weaver community and the connections I have made has been so enriching. This web of weavers is full of teachers, love, traditions and laughter and being a part of that has helped give me strength. Every single encounter together provides us all with a deeper understanding and connection to the weaver spirit. "

Tahnee currently works at the Skokomish Community Center whose mission is to build healthier families and a stronger community through various programs and events. After taking her first weaving class with Dr. Pavel, Tahnee knew she had to continue cultivating this passion.

As an advanced beginner, Tahnee hopes to learn different weaving techniques while also learning more about herself as a Native American woman. Tahnee plans to continue the Coast Salish wool weaving tradition not only with her own community, but with anyone else who wants to learn.
-from center for washington cultural traditions