COAST SALISH WEAVING AT WHITE RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM
Auburn’s Historical Museum Honors “Weaver’s Spirit Power”
Auburn, Wash. – The White River Valley Museum celebrates the traditions of the Northwest Coast Salish People with a series of events and the exhibit “SQ3Tsya’yay: Weaver’s Spirit Power” that opens Aug. 20 and runs until Nov. 9, courtesy of guest curator and master weaver Susan (sa’hLa mitSa) Pavel.
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Hand woven on a Salish loom from sheep wool. Traditionally, blankets were woven from mountain goat wool collected from bushes and trees the goats rubbed against during shedding. |
Pronounced cutse-ya-ya, SQ3Tsya’yay means weaver’s spirit power. The exhibit exclusively features historical and contemporary Coast Salish fiber weavings, including antique mountain goat wool blankets and modern weavings made of domestic sheep’s wool.
Indigenous Northwest Coast art in Washington state has historically been overshadowed by the painted wooden art forms of Southeast Alaska and Northwestern Canada. “Weaver’s Spirit Power” focuses on the Southern Coastal region, specifically Southwestern Washington up to the southern tip of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, a region where the woven arts predominate.
For over 40 years, the state of Washington had only three master Coast Salish fiber weavers: The late Bruce (subiyay) Miller from the Skokomish Nation, Fran James from the Lummi Nation, and Bill James from the Lummi Nation. These masters occasionally took on an apprentice, leaving only a handful of active Coast Salish weavers.
ABOUT SUSAN (sa’hLa mitSa) PAVEL
Pavel apprenticed with Miller for six years and has been teaching, demonstrating and presenting Coast Salish Weaving for the last seven. Her passion and commitment to reviving this weaving style are an inspiration for both Native and non-Native people interested in the ways of Coast Salish Weaving. To date, well over 500 people have taken weaving classes from Pavel.
UPCOMING COAST SALISH WEAVING EVENTS
Unless otherwise noted, events are free with regular museum admission of $2 adults, $1 children and seniors.
Yarn Dyeing with Native Plants, Aug. 9, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Workshop is taught by master weaver Susan Pavel. Participants will collect plants native to the Northwest Coast region and process them into dyes for dyeing yarn and wool. Cost is $155. Pre-registration is required. Call 253-288-7433.
Coast Salish Weaving, Aug. 16 and 17, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Workshop is taught by master weaver Susan Pavel. Plant-dyed yarns will be used to weave on a Coast Salish table-top loom. Dyed yarn from the “Yarn Dyeing with Native Plants” workshop can be used in this workshop. Participants will complete a 12” x 14” wall hanging. Select weavings from this workshop will be displayed in the exhibit “SQ3Tsya’yay: Weaver’s Spirit Power.” Cost is $175 for both days. Pre-registration is required. Call 253-288-7433.
Weaving Demonstrations, Sept. 20, noon – 4 p.m.
Local weavers demonstrate both the twill and twine techniques of Coast Salish Weaving.
Film and Lecture with Susan Pavel, Oct. 11, 1 – 3 p.m.
A 20-minute film highlights the weaving process from gathering plant material to weaving, followed by a lecture that covers the historical significance, revitalization efforts and future of Coast Salish Weaving. Questions from the audience encouraged.
Salish Weaving Family Day, Nov. 1, noon – 4 p.m.
A hands-on adventure for the entire family. Identify raw weaving materials, weave on a Coast Salish loom, create a greeting card for friends and family, and pose for the camera in an authentic Coast Salish woven blanket.
ABOUT THE WHITE RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM
The White River Valley Museum is a partnership with the City of Auburn and combines history and culture to create an exciting and educational experience for visitors. Museum collections focus on local Puget Sound history, Northwest Indian culture, Japanese immigration and the Northern Pacific Railroad.
The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday and is located at 918 H St. SE in Auburn. Regular hours are noon – 4 p.m. Admission is free on Wednesdays. Call 253-288-7433 for event information.
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