Traditional weaving provides learning, healing opportunities

The Stardale Women’s Group Charity has resurrected an ancient art form of the West Coast Salish women giving it contemporary significance as a learning tool for young Aboriginal women.

Surrounded by the Sacred Weft collection in the Native Historical Gallery at the Glenbow Museum, on June 25, young Aboriginal women participating in Stardale’s after school program, “Honouring the Women’s Voices,” gave a dramatic and moving presentation, connecting their experience both individually and collectively, to the stories in the remarkable weavings that originate from all natural materials.

Intrigued by traditional Aboriginal weavings of the Navajo Nation, Helen McPhaden, executive director of Stardale, was inspired to explore the potential of this lost tradition not only to tell stories of the Aboriginal past but also to connect young women of the present with these stories. Her research in 1998 led to Katharine Dickerson, head of the Fibre Department at the Alberta College of Art and Design, who brought her knowledge of the West Coast Salish women, considered “jewels of their community.”

“The project concept by Stardale was to apply its holistic model of weaving and creating to this unique lost art form as a means of healing Aboriginal women, as well as designing beautiful tapestries,” said McPhaden. “These healing energies are transferred through the applied art of weaving.”

Originally the Aboriginal Healing Foundation supported the weaving project to address the intergenerational impact of residential schools on language, art and culture. At the heart of each weaving is a story that encompasses life experiences such as child rearing, death and respect.

“Through listening and observing nature, the woman gains more clarity of perception in her life through a cultural connection,” said McPhaden.

Each weaving was developed through a labour-intensive process. All materials used in creating the weavings originated from elements of the earth. The weavers, Aboriginal women of the prairies, learned traditional techniques of retting, sutching, breaking and hackling to produce fibre from flax and hemp that was woven on hand-carved looms. Various berries, mosses and tree barks were used to make dye baths. Water for the dye baths came from natural sources, either rain or snow. Although framed, the weavings are identical on both sides and have no knots or loops, the prized V Stitch unique to the West Coast Salish.

Using skills learned in performing, the young Aboriginal women guided the intimate Glenbow audience through story by connecting with the history embodied in each weaving. In a dramatic and moving presentation, the girls interpreted the stories artistically through story, song and poetry.

Stardale Charity fills a gap by providing after school programming for young Aboriginal women who have experienced physical, emotional, sexual and mental abuse. Through activities such as dancing, acting, modelling, cooking, running, basketball and gardening, the young women learn to define boundaries, to develop healthy self-esteem, literacy and life skills.

“The program has many objectives,” said McPhaden, “but its primary focus is to keep the girls in school and to help build future female Aboriginal leaders.”