FIBRESHED
FIELD SCHOOL
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In collaboration with Emily Carr University’s Shumka Centre for Creative Entrepreneurship, Aboriginal Gathering Place and Textile Adaptations Research Program (TARP) Lab, Emily created a Fibreshed Field School which ran from 2020-2021. It consisted of two phases which began with the field school program in the fall of 2020, and a dissemination phase in 2021, where students created a publication and podcast inspired by the Field School (See more info below and by visiting the Fibre Stories website).
A Fibershed (or ‘Fibreshed’), is a term coined by Rebecca Burgess and refers to:
a “geographical landscape that defines and gives boundaries to a natural textile resource base, engendering appreciation, connectivity, and sensitivity for the life-giving resources within our homelands” (Saulsbery).
The Fibreshed movement involves design for local and regenerative textile systems that support independent working producers to re-build regional manufacturing. Creating the infrastructure for a working fibreshed to produce textiles is multi-facted and involves skill development in many fields. This includes everything from all aspects of regenerative farming, grading, mill operations, weaving, designing, and industrial sewing to create market value (to name a few). This is a big task, it is overwhelming when looked at as a whole.
In order to encompass the breadth of what’s possible, Emily facilitated a series of cohorts in partnership with established mentors working in our regional, both urban and rural.
Phase 1: The Field School
Cohort 1: Reciprocity + Stewardship
This cohort was led by EartHand Gleaners Society, and the Aboriginal Gathering Place, and focused on responsible land stewardship and practices informed by Indigenous ways of knowing. Activities included processing of nettle, salmon leather, dogbane and milkweed, guest speakers, material research.
Mentors: Sharon Kallis, Senaqwila Wyss, Janey Chang
Locations: Trillium Park, Means of Production Garden, Emily Carr Aboriginal Gathering Place located on the unceded, ancestral and traditional xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Watuth) territories
Cohort 2: Warping + Weaving
Led by Macgee Cloth Company and Nicola Hodges, students focused on transparent practices around textile production. The main activity was for students to learn how to use Fibreworks software to create two blankets woven in ring-spun cotton and lambswool. Students visited the industrial mill located in Robert’s Creek, met with industry experts, learned about warping and weaving techniques, and the process of sourcing ethical yarn.
Location: Macgee Cloth Company located on the unceded, ancestral and traditional xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Watuth), ḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and shíshálh (Sechelt) territories
Cohort 3: Regeneration
In partnership with Rebecca Burgess, , and Morning Star Wollen Farm, this cohort focused on regenerative agricultre. Students visited farms, met with industry experts, learn about natural dyeing techniques as well as biodegradeability. The focus of this cohort will be to respond to a design brief and raise public awareness to regenerative farming practices in BC.
This cohort includes a possible overnight stay on Bowen Island, compliant with social distancing guidelines for the Province of British Columbia.
Mentors and Facilitators: Rebecca Burgess, Star Hoerauf, Phil Gregory, Valerie D Walker.
Location: Farms located on the unceded, ancestral and traditional xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Watuth), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) territories
Phase 2: Fibre Stories
publication details
Edited by Ash Logan and Chiara SchmittAssistant Editors: Elham Atighi, Melanie Camman, Christa ClayManaging Editors: Emily Smith, Hélène Day FraserAdvisors: Keith Doyle, Cemre Demiralp, Kate ArmstrongCreative Direction: Ash Logan and Chiara SchmittDesign: Arina SinPhotography: Benny Zenga, exceptions notedIn collaboration with The Stationary Project
©Shumka Centre for Creative Entrepreneurship 2021, artists and writersEmily Carr University of Art + Design520 East 1st AvenueVancouver, BCCanada, V5T 0H2
Produced on the traditional, unceded, and ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
ISBN [Electronic edition] 978-0-9878354-9-9
Fibrestories Podcast
Podcast Credits
Co-Producer and Host: Melanie Camman
Audio Engineer: Bill Batt
Editor: Kyla Hewson
Production Assistant: Elham Atighi Lorestani