Spinning on the traditional territory of the We Wai Kai Nation

Thanks to a fellow class mate from spinning class that I took with Lexi Boger 3 years ago, last weekend spinning I learned to spin textured yarns on We Wai Kai Nation (Cape Mudge) with Jacey Boggs and a whole bunch of other wonderful and adventurous spinners.

It was the first time Jacey has shared her textured discoveries in Canada, and some people came from as far as Ontario, and the States! The rest of us were from various Island guilds, one quarter of the group was from our guild, the Victoria Handweavers and Spinners, and some us were also from our Odd Mondays Spinning group!

We spun side-ways at a forty five degree angle, twisted, rolled, poked, teased, and sandwiched our sliver or combed top and crazy batts into awesomely textured yarns.While at the same time learning about the technical aspects behind spinning. It's like sneaking in all the good vitamins and nutrients while making it fun and exciting!

Core spinning crazy batts

Aurelia's Top Knots in Soft Cocoons

 

We had our guild meeting tonight and showed off our creations!

It was much more fun than watching hockey tonight sadly. The score was announced during the game.  

 For show and tell, I brought in new textured yarns. I am trying to remember all I can draw from the pools of knowledge that we were immersed into this weekend. 

Luckily I bought Jacey's DVD to fill in the gaps.

Día de los Muertos

 Corriedale and silk noil: a perfect contradiction in feel and lustre

Hello Yarn Polworth Coils - May Club

Spinning them coil tighter has defined the cocoons

And now back to my Spinning on Cape Mudge Story: The bonuses were everything else that I discovered on the Island during our breaks. 

Laying outside the most amazing Cultural Center I have ever seen.

 

The Place for Sharing Stories

A Tribal Journeys Canoe?

cedar stripping next to us

 A perfect segue into passing on the news that there will be a celebration of National Aboriginal Day, on Sunday, June 19th, from 11a.m. to 5pm at Centennial Square. The event will feature over 30 First Nations artists including carvers, weavers, Cowichan knitters, musicians, story tellers, dancers, fashion designers, and traditional medicine healers. Performances by the Unity Drummers and Singer and the Gitmaxmak'ay Nisga'a Dancers ( I heard that there are over 100 dancers).

The festival is hosted by the Victoria Native Friendship Center in partnership with the  Solstice Celebration Aboriginal Cultural Society and the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centers. The City of Victoria and the Provincial Capital Commission are sponsors for the event.

PS. A big thank you to Audrey and Mimi for help making this spinning event possible, a very big thank you to the We Wai Kai Nation for allowing us to share knowledge on your land, and a thank you to all of the beautiful spinners that traveled afar to this event!