WEAVING THE SEASONS

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A Roundhouse artist residency with S7atsáliya FREE Fridays in Sep (Sep 4, 11, 18, 25), 6:30-8:30pm Roundhouse Lobby INFO roundhouse.ca/programs/artists-residencies/charlene-george-residency

Roundhouse artist-in-residence S7atsáliya (Charlene George) will bring her artistic practice back to the lobby this fall, weaving pieces inspired by the seasons. She has invited guest weavers X̱á7chalh (Alvin Martin) and Sh7eysh7éylhalut (Breeann Baker) to join her for some sessions. Drop by to chat, learn more about their work and contribute to our collaborative community weaving. Then follow their weekly progress by viewing their developing pieces in the WINDOW Gallery at our Pacific Street entrance throughout the month of September.

S7atsáliya (Charlene George, MA) comes from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Səlilwətaɬ nations and is a learner, teacher and advocate of the Sḵwx̱wu7mesh sníchim (language). Her passion for language work is rooted in nine years of dedicated experience developing effective strategies to foster conversational fluency, as well as creating curricula and other valuable language resources. She holds a master’s degree in Indigenous Languages and Linguistics, her final project demonstrating ongoing immersive learning practices via language domains, as well as some linguistic interpretation.

X̱á7chalh (Alvin Martin) is from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Nisga’a, and Nuxalk Nations. He carries on his grandparents’ legacies through canoe carving and learning to speak one of his ancestral languages. His journey into canoe carving has opened the door to many other traditional practices. He also carves model canoes (art pieces that allow individuals to hold and remember meaningful moments) and has learned to wool weave as his Sḵwx̱wú7mesh ancestors did before him. He has contributed to several weaving projects and has recently learned to spin wool as well.

Alvin is currently part of a cohort at Simon Fraser University focused on developing conversational skills in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim. He sees this as an important step in contributing to ongoing language revitalization efforts. With his wife also being a speaker, Alvin is excited to bring the language into their home, strengthening its presence in daily life and helping ensure it lives on through the next generation.

Committed to hands-on learning and teaching, Alvin sees his artistic and cultural practices not only as personal responsibilities but as gifts to be carried forward and shared. He has created canoes, paddles, and wool-woven pieces for multiple communities and families.

Sh7eysh7éylhalut (Breeann Baker) comes from the village of Xwmelch’stn (Capilano) and has proudly worked with The Sníchim Foundation for the past six years, dedicated to the revitalization of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim (Squamish language). Through this work, she has found a deep-rooted passion and connection to my identity, culture, and community by learning and using the language every day. As a mother to two boys, Sutí7mex̱ and X̱apílem George, it’s important for her and her partner Lá7awstn (Kalup George) to bring language and culture into their home, ensuring their children grow up immersed in their identity rather than searching for it.

In her language and cultural journey, Sh7eysh7éylhalut has been grateful for the opportunity to connect with ancestral practices such as traditional weaving. Over the past three years, she has learned from multiple teachers who have shared techniques passed down through generations. Through this guidance, she has created shawls, blankets, headbands, and wall pieces. Weaving has become more than something she has learned, it has become a meditative, spiritual practice that connects her with her ancestors and allows her to carry their spirit, stories, and strength into the hands and hearts of the next generation.

Our community weaving loom is borrowed, with thanks, from Vancouver Arts Colloquium Society.

A Roundhouse Partnership with S7atsáliya

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