Porcupine quill workshops part of Gwich'in Traditional
Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services
Inuvik (Jan 19/01) - An abandoned Gwich'in art is making a comeback, one stitch at a time.
Recently Karen Wright-Fraser held a series of porcupine quill workshops in Inuvik, Fort McPherson, Tsiigehtchic and Aklavik.
Wright-Fraser said porcupine quilling faded among the Gwich'in about 70 years ago.
"Now we're bringing it back. I think it's important, and it will help people feel proud of their heritage," Wright-Fraser said.
The workshops were held in conjunction with the Traditional Gwich'in Clothing Project, of which Wright-Fraser is project co-ordinator. She explained that replicas of a 19th century Gwich'in outfit are being made.
The original outfit is housed at the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa.
"We brought a delegation down to look at the outfits in the museums. We travelled to Ottawa and then to Washington and back. We brought some Gwich'in elders seamstresses," Wright-Fraser explained.
One outfit each is being made in Inuvik, Fort McPherson, Tsiigehtchic and Aklavik, as well as at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife.
Wright-Fraser said that the outfits are ready to be decorated with porcupine quills, hence one purpose for holding these workshops. She pointed out, however, that the workshops would also be useful simply in reviving interest in skill in the art of porcupine quilling.
Ingrid Kritsch, research director for the Gwich'in Social and Cultural Institute in Yellowknife, said that all the replicas are expected to be completed in March. This summer a ceremony will be held to present the outfits to the four communities.
Kritsch explained that Dennis Allen is filming material for a documentary on the entire Gwich'in Traditional Clothing Project.
"He's been videotaping the seamstresses while they're working, and interviewing elders and the people in the community about their knowledge about the clothing, and about tanning and how it's all put together," she said.
Kritsch said people are very excited about the clothing project.
