The Teachings of Mutton: A Coast Salish Woolly Dog
Schedule
Thu Oct 23 2025 at 06:00 pm to 09:00 pm
UTC-07:00Location
4303 Memorial Way NE, Seattle, WA, United States, Washington 98195 | Seattle, WA
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Join the Burke Museum for a conversation and book signing with Dr. Janice George (Chepximiya Siyam) and Liz Hammond-Kaarremaa, co-authors of The Teachings of Mutton: A Coast Salish Woolly Dog. The pelt of a dog named “Mutton” languished in a drawer at the Smithsonian for 150 years until it was discovered, almost accidentally, by an amateur archivist. This book tells Mutton's story and explores what it can teach us about Coast Salish woolly dogs and their cultural significance.
According to Indigenous Oral Histories of the Pacific Northwest, this small dog was bred for thousands of years for its woolly fibers, which were woven into blankets, robes and regalia. In the early to mid-1900s the woolly dog had become extinct.
Co-authored with weavers, Knowledge Keepers, and Elders, The Teachings of Mutton interweaves perspectives from Musqueam, Squamish, Stó:lō, Suquamish, Cowichan, Katzie, Snuneymuxw, and Skokomish cultures with narratives of science and history. Binding it all together is Mutton's story — a tale of research, reawakening, and resurgence.
The co-authors will be joined by Candace Wellman, the amateur archivist who led the discovery of Mutton at the Smithsonian, and Buddy Joseph, a well-known weaver and teacher.
Copies of The Teachings of Mutton: A Coast Salish Woolly Dog will be available for purchase in the Burke Store.
This event is FREE for Burke members. Learn more and become a member at burkemuseum.org/join.
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Where is it happening?
4303 Memorial Way NE, Seattle, WA, United States, Washington 98195Event Location & Nearby Stays:
