Story of the SIÁM SȽEȽWÁȽ NOṈET SWEꞢE,Ƚ (Highly Respected One's, Peace of Mind at Last) Blanket
Blanket name, interpretation and translation, provided by JSIṈTEN, Dr. John Elliott.
The ‘Highly Respected One's, Peace of Mind at Last’ Coast Salish Woven Blanket is made with the intention of sharing values and teachings of the land, with acknowledgement of the First Peoples and their important teachings.
Myrna Crossley’s husband, the late Master Coast Salish Carver/Artist TEMOSEṈ-ŦET Charles Elliott, talked about how art is an act of resurgence and resistance, and that by weaving blankets, including this blanket, the wet moldy blanket of oppression and colonization is being lifted off their backs and being replaced with a blanket that belongs to their culture.
—Myrna Crossley
Protocols
Myrna starts her day weaving with smudging and meditation, seeking guidance from the Creator. She reflects on the teachings of the Elders about how the four elements of nature, the four stages of life and the four seasons of the year are significant in all our lives. It is important to practice the protocols, not only for the weaving but also for the harvesting of the materials, the wool and natural dyes, which will complete the project. At the end of each day of work, she covers the weaving with a blanket.
Coast Salish Blankets
Woven woolen blankets are an integral part of Coast Salish culture, and they are of significant cultural importance. For example, Nobility Blankets or Chiefly Robes are only worn by high-ranking people and they are usually large enough (5’ x 5’) to wrap the person from head to toe. A Wedding Blanket is double in size so it is large enough to wrap the couple together.
Blankets used for Ceremony vary in size. There are standing blankets (4’ x 4’), sitting blankets (2’ x 3’), and woven head bands and sashes are often worn with blankets that wrap over one shoulder, usually of the cultural workers. The Blanket uses were numerous, and they had daily-use purposes as well as ceremonial ones. The Blanket was once a form of currency and was often used for trade.
Weaving Process
Wool was once sourced from the now-extinct Salish Woolly Dog and these dogs were kept on islands to preserve their breed. Mountain sheep wool was used, and it was sourced from the mainland. Today, sheep wool is used.
The raw wool is washed, carded and spun on a treadle spinner. If colour is needed the wool is placed in a dyebath for a period of time. Wool, after being spun, is then shocked. This means that the wool will be soaked in cold water and then transferred to hot water, heated thoroughly, then plunged back into the cold water. This proces