Giihlgiigaa Cedar Bark Weaving Blog
Title: Weaving Cedar, Culture and Community
Theme: Arts
Oak Park Fieldhouse (Oak & 59th)
Giihlgiigaa Tsiits Git’anne, aka Todd DeVries (Haida) is a cedar bark weaving instructor dedicated to community-based teaching. “Giving everyone a hat by teaching the skills to weave one and sharing the values that go with it.” This guiding quote serves as his personal mandate, reflecting his commitment to sharing both the practical skills and the cultural teachings of Haida weaving.
Since 2010, Giihlgiigaa’s work has combined cedar bark weaving with Haida storytelling, drawing inspiration from his teachers, master weaver Holly Churchill and the late storyteller Gaagii Woody Morrison, BA, JD. Giihlgiigaa has led numerous workshops and artist residencies, including a six-year residency at Britannia 55+ Community Centre through Healthy Aging Through the Arts. His teaching spans all ages - youth, adults, and elders - in elementary and secondary schools, community colleges, and First Nations outreach programs. Through weaving and storytelling, he empowers participants to connect with culture, creativity, and each other.
Weaving Cedar, Culture and Community brings people together to learn about cedar bark weaving while strengthening cultural knowledge and community connection by offering
workshops that provide a safe, welcoming space for community members
to connect, weave, and be empowered through creative expression.
Giihlgiigaa’s Weaving website for weaving tips:
Follow Giihlgiigaa’s Residency and calendar of events at:
https://giihlgiigaaweaver.blogspot.com/
more info on Vancouver Park Board's Fieldhouse Activation Program
https://vancouver.ca/people-programs/fieldhouse-programs.aspx
