"Once we started into weaving, the technology and the knowledge that had gone into it really captured me. Our regalia identifies us, protects us, and connects us to our ancestors.  It is the hopes and dreams of our ancestors, our beloved elders, and our leadership that our children embrace this part of our culture, for it brings pride, strength and honour."
Chen kwenmantumi We are grateful, Skwetsimeltxw Buddy Joseph

Bio. for Willard (Buddy) Joseph
- Ancestral name Skwetsimeltxw
- Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, 1953
- Member of the Squamish First Nation
- Parents: Willard Evan Joseph Sr. and Agnes Yvonne Joseph (nee: Paull)

"I took Salish weaving classes with Susan Pavel and the late Bruce ‘Subiya’ Miller, both from the Skokomish First Nation in Washington State. I learned two types of weaves, the twine and twill weaves, along with the warping techniques used to create different garments.  I also learned to utilize natural indigenous plants as dyes for the wool. Weaves have been sold at Squamish First Nation Winter Art sale and are on exhibit at the Evergreen State College in Washington State.

My intention was always to come back to the Squamish Nation and teach weaving. So I took teachers training in Skokomish and have taught Salish weaving to some 200 students from Squamish First Nation, Sechelt First Nation and additional 30 students at Simon Fraser University. I enjoy teaching and meeting new people as I travel to different Nations territories."

Artist Biographies

Chief Janice George says weaving is in her blood.  She has known she wanted to weave since her youth.  

Chief George graduated from Capilano College’s Textile Arts Program, followed by Museum Studies at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  She has been involved in repatriating key ancestral treasures, bringing them back home where they belong.

In 2003, Janice and her husband, Willard (Buddy) Joseph, met Dr. Susan Pavel at the Northwest Weaver’s Association when she was entranced by one of Susan’s woven tunic designs.  Janice wanted to buy it but Dr. Pavel responded by suggesting she could sell Jan the weaving or for the same money, she could teach her. She trained with Susan Pavel and the late Bruce ‘Subiya’ Miller.

In September 2005, Chief George was chosen for an eight month internship at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, studying under curator Leslie Tupper.  As if led along a path by fate, Janice planned a teacher’s gathering at the Museum along with Dr. Tepper. Being at the museum afforded her the chance search the world for Salish weavings, enabling her to help co-produce a CD Rom on Salish weaving.

Jan and Buddy self funded a building for their studio near their home on the Capilano reserve. They were able to get a $150,000 grant from the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) to create weavings for display in the new Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. They used the funds to teach ten others to help create the hangings and blankets for the Centre. Recently, the weavers have completed 16 large wall hangings for the Simon Fraser University's First Nations centre. They were hung for permanent display in March 2009.