About this Event
FLEET: Foreshore's current artist in residence, Aleen Sparrow, has invited her mom Debra Sparrow to give an afternoon talk at the studio! Join us and learn about Musqueam history and textiles, and the Salish Woolly Dog. Debra Sparrow has been deeply involved with the revival of Musqueam weaving for over thirty years and has spent many years studying, experimenting, and learning directly from the work of her ancestors. The Salish Woolly Dog is a small, long-haired dog known by Coast Salish peoples for its wool, an essential part of weaving and cultural traditions.
FREE, everyone is welcome. Registration required.
This event is timed with our neighbours' Pay What You Can days (first Sunday of the month): The Museum of Vancouver, The Vancouver Maritime Museum, and the HR MacMillan Space Centre.
Artist Bios:
Debra Qwasen Sparrow
Debra Sparrow has been deeply involved with the revival of Musqueam weaving for over thirty years and has spent many years studying, experimenting, and learning directly from the work of her ancestors. Her work has been collected and exhibited nationally and internationally, including at the University of British Columbia, the Canadian Museum of History (previously the Museum of Civilization), the Royal BC Museum, the Vancouver International Airport (YVR Collections), the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture (Seattle), and the Smithsonian Institution.
She was the recipient of the BC Creative Achievement Award for First Nations Art in 2008. Most recently, she participated in The Fabric of Our Land: Salish Weaving at the Museum of Anthropology at UBC as both an exhibitor and as a regular, active weaving demonstrator using a traditional loom from the museum collection.
Aleen Sparrow
Aleen Sparrow is a Musqueam weaver who learned her practice from her mom, Debra Sparrow. She grew up watching her mom and aunties weave together at the kitchen table, where wool, tea and conversation were always present. Those moments shaped how she understands weaving today, not just as making blankets, but as time spent together, sharing knowledge and supporting one another.
Aleen spins her own wool and approaches each blanket with care and intention. She believes every piece carries the energy of the maker, so she does her best to live her life in a good way and put positive thoughts into her work while she weaves. Each blanket holds patience, time and a quiet connection between the hands that made it and the person who will receive it.
Supporting emerging weavers is important to Aleen because she understands how knowledge has been passed to her. By teaching and sharing what she has learned, she hopes Salish weaving will continue to grow strong for future generations. She also carries something her mom often says: every culture comes from textile people. We all had to clothe ourselves and through textiles we can find connection with one another across time and place.
Location:
FLEET: Foreshore is located at 1100 Chestnut Street in Vancouver near The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre’s Observatory (“Gordon Southam Observatory”) The Museum of Vancouver, and the Sen̓áḵw Towers. Colonial name “Vanier Park”.
The talk will happen at FLEET, mostly outside. In the event of chilly weather, our friends at the MOV will make a room available for us.
More info at .
FLEET: Foreshore is generously supported by The British Columbia Arts Council, City of Vancouver, and Canada Council for the Arts.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
1100 Chestnut St, 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver, Canada
CAD 0.00
