George Janice - Salish Blankets: Robes of Protection and Transformation, Symbols of Wealth

You should think about blankets as merged objects. They are alive because they exist in the spirit world. They are the animal. They are part of the hunter; they are part of the weaver; they are part of the wearer.

Chief Janice George, Squamish

The Salish blanket, worn as a ceremonial robe, is an object of extraordinary complexity. Said to exist in the supernatural realm, these robes are made manifest in the natural world through Ancestral guidance. Wearing a woven blanket during ritual is transformative, moving the individual from the domain of the mundane to a sacred space. They are protective garments that at times of great changes in a persons lifecelebrating a birth, participating in a marriage, mourning a deathoffer emotional strength. A well-made blanket can raise the owners prestige in the community and demonstrate a weavers technical expertise along with her finely honed artistic vision.

A shared interest in Salish weaving brought the authors together, and for several years we have researched, traveled, discussed, and collaborated in order to gain a better understanding of these fascinating textiles. We studied fabrics in museum collections in Canada, the United States, and Great Britain. Libraries were searched for publications and archives were examined for relevant entries in diaries and records kept by explorers and fur traders. Historical photographs and audiovisual materials added valuable information. We spoke with Elders, interviewed weavers, and organized and attended workshops. During this time, information and expertise were shared in conversations among the three authors, with participants at textile conferences and gatherings, and with museum registrars, curators, and conservators. We explored ideas about the historical and contemporary role of Salish blankets and the importance of weavers in the community. Continually questioning our assumptions, we gradually began to perceive Salish textiles in new ways.

Selected Salish First Nations. Courtesy of the Canadian Museum of History, mapmaker Franois Goulet.

Our partnership began in 2005 when we organized a workshop at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, now named the Canadian Museum of History ( CMH ). Salish weavers from several communities near the city of Vancouver and from Vancouver Island were invited to come to the national capital to research the collections. They shared experiences and discussed topics of mutual interest. It includes videos showing how to warp a loom and how to weave using twill and twine techniques. Blueprints for building a tabletop loom, ideas for community weaving activities, and supportive comments from Elders provide guidance to new weavers. It also offers online links to museum databases, a bibliography, and a list of archival images. The CD-ROM has been used by Salish teachers and students in schools, cultural centers, workshops, and Elders gatherings.