At Nch’ḵay̓, we’re fortunate to have such a beautiful and masterfully woven welcome blanket hanging at reception to greet visitors to our Head Office on the North Shore.

This standout piece is made from wool and is six feet high and four feet across with accents in our brand colours—red, black, and grey. It was weaved by Spelexílh Anjeanette Dawson, a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh grandmother, intergenerational residential school survivor, and longtime Indigenous educator.

“Creating this wool woven piece brought back many memories of when I created my other wall hangings,” she said. “Once all of the tucking was complete, seeing the finished product was an amazing feeling.”

Spelexílh is one of 10 artisans to revive the traditional lost art of weaving with teachers and mentors Chepximiya Siyam’ Chief Janice George and Skwetsimeltxw Willard “Buddy” Joseph. An expert in pre-contact history and traditional practices, she often facilitates workshops about local history and wool weaving and with people of all ages.

Spelexílh has worked in Indigenous education for more than 35 years, including 22 years with the Squamish Nation and 2.5 years as the Indigenous Education Officer for the BC General Employees’ Union.

Learn more about Spelexílh and her work here.