December/January, 2020
The Blue Cabin (False Creek)
Related residency: Angela George

Artist-in-residence Angela George invited the public to the Blue Cabin for a chance to learn more about her “Weaving Governance” project, and help weave and/or bring small projects to weave in the Blue Cabin. George’s “Weaving Governance” reflects a foundational governance model for the Tsleil Waututh Nation that demonstrates evidence of ancient knowledge and connection to the lands, waters and ancestors that continues to guide and empower sustainability in modern times. The weaving design is a compilation of the essential traditional laws, values and vital references for the modern Tsleil-Waututh Nation to consider when moving forward with a governance and constitution process and systems and restructuring exercises.

Angela George carries two ancestral names, sits’sáts’tenat and qʷənat. Her late mother is slatwx, Cookie Thomas (Cole/Discon/Billy family) from Sḵwxwú7mesh and her father is from the Baker family from Sḵwxwú7mesh and the Jones and Peter family on Vancouver Island. She was raised by her late Dad, wika, Alexander Paul of Sts’ailes in the Fraser Valley. Angela is married to Gabriel George, grandson of late Chief Dan George and lives and works in the Tsleil-Waututh Nation in North Vancouver. This Coast Salish mother of 4 has dedicated her career to the betterment of First Nations people and communities. Traditionally groomed, she has a strong understanding of her culture and spiritual teachings and the impacts of colonization and barriers that plague First Nations communities. She has a strong passion in traditional canoe racing, weaving and cultural singing and dancing and believes that practicing traditions and having a strong sense of identity and connection to our ancestors is vital to community wellness, development and sustainability. George has recently completed an EMBA in Indigenous Business Leadership at SFU.