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Weaving

Coast Salish people, including the Lukwungen, enjoy a long tradition of fine weaving. Blankets were woven from nettle fibre, Mountain Goat wool, and the hair of small dogs bred specifically for this purpose.
Lukwungen blanket
This Lukwungen blanket was woven of dog hair or Mountain Goat wool, Stinging Nettle fibre, and feathers. RBCM: 9421
Coast Salish blankets were woven on looms such as this one from the Snuneymuxw First Nation
Coast Salish blankets were woven on looms such as this one from the Snuneymuxw First Nation in the Nanaimo area of Vancouver Island. RBCM: 2387 a,b
Wool beaters made of hardwood were used to pound alkaline clay into bundles of wool to help clean the fibres
Wool beaters made of hardwood were used to pound alkaline clay into bundles of wool to help clean the fibres.
RBCM: 1331
Wool was spun using spindle whorls
Wool was spun using spindle whorls. These were sometimes decorated with carved or painted designs that had personal meaning for the weavers. This Coast Salish example dates from the first half of the 20th century. It is made of maple wood. RBCM: 10781
A ball of Mountain Goat wool
A ball of Mountain Goat wool spun by a Coast Salish woman in the first half of the 20th century.
RBCM: 11182
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