By The People: Traditions in Dialogue— Indigenous Pacific Northwest Weaving
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By The People: Traditions in Dialogue— Indigenous Pacific Northwest Weaving
Sunday, July 26, 2026, 2:00 PM
Washington State History Museum
FREE with registration
Join us for a conversation with six Indigenous weavers from across the Pacific Northwest, exploring the art of weaving and its cultural significance.
Weaving is a foundational art form among Indigenous communities in the Pacific Northwest, both connecting tribes through shared traditions and expressing each tribe’s distinct practices. This program brings together artists representing multiple Tribal Nations to discuss their work, materials, and the meaning of each woven piece.
Participating weavers are alumni of the Heritage Arts Apprenticeship program, where they spent a year training with master weavers. Together, they will share insights into techniques such as cedar bark and Raven’s Tail wool weaving, while reflecting on the intergenerational knowledge and community that sustain these traditions.
Participants:
Donna McNeil (Samish), Master cedar weaver
Sia Aronica (Yakama), Apprentice weaver
Janine Bufi (Samish), Apprentice weaver
Janice Jainga-Lonergan (Tsimshian), Master Raven’s Tail weaver
Dawn Davis, Apprentice Raven’s Tail weaver
Ashley Schmidt, Apprentice Raven’s Tail weaver
This program is part of By the People: Conversations Beyond 250, a nationwide initiative of community-driven programs exploring 250 years of American cultural life and imagining a shared future. The series is presented by humanities councils across the U.S. in collaboration with the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, and complements the 2026 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
This program is presented by:
Humanities Washington opens minds and bridges divides by creating spaces to explore different perspectives. Founded in 1973, Humanities Washington is our state’s flagship nonprofit for public humanities programming and the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
WACultures’ Heritage Arts Apprenticeship Program supports a master artist and an apprentice in preserving cultural traditions important to their community. WACultures also promotes cultural traditions and tradition bearers through research and publications. From people who’ve existed here since time immemorial to diverse newcomers, WACultures recognizes the diverse spectrum that makes Washington a unique cultural landscape. WACultures is the NEA state folklife partner for folk and traditional arts, presented by Humanities Washington and ArtsWA.
Sunday, July 26, 2026, 2:00 PM
Washington State History Museum
FREE with registration
Join us for a conversation with six Indigenous weavers from across the Pacific Northwest, exploring the art of weaving and its cultural significance.
Weaving is a foundational art form among Indigenous communities in the Pacific Northwest, both connecting tribes through shared traditions and expressing each tribe’s distinct practices. This program brings together artists representing multiple Tribal Nations to discuss their work, materials, and the meaning of each woven piece.
Participating weavers are alumni of the Heritage Arts Apprenticeship program, where they spent a year training with master weavers. Together, they will share insights into techniques such as cedar bark and Raven’s Tail wool weaving, while reflecting on the intergenerational knowledge and community that sustain these traditions.
Participants:
Donna McNeil (Samish), Master cedar weaver
Sia Aronica (Yakama), Apprentice weaver
Janine Bufi (Samish), Apprentice weaver
Janice Jainga-Lonergan (Tsimshian), Master Raven’s Tail weaver
Dawn Davis, Apprentice Raven’s Tail weaver
Ashley Schmidt, Apprentice Raven’s Tail weaver
This program is part of By the People: Conversations Beyond 250, a nationwide initiative of community-driven programs exploring 250 years of American cultural life and imagining a shared future. The series is presented by humanities councils across the U.S. in collaboration with the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, and complements the 2026 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
This program is presented by:
Humanities Washington opens minds and bridges divides by creating spaces to explore different perspectives. Founded in 1973, Humanities Washington is our state’s flagship nonprofit for public humanities programming and the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
WACultures’ Heritage Arts Apprenticeship Program supports a master artist and an apprentice in preserving cultural traditions important to their community. WACultures also promotes cultural traditions and tradition bearers through research and publications. From people who’ve existed here since time immemorial to diverse newcomers, WACultures recognizes the diverse spectrum that makes Washington a unique cultural landscape. WACultures is the NEA state folklife partner for folk and traditional arts, presented by Humanities Washington and ArtsWA.
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Where is it happening?
1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA, United States, Washington 98402
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherWashington State History Museum
