Current Dressmaking: Community efforts
Libby's apron on display in the exhibit, along with a selection of necklaces and a set of hair ties from the Clarke Collections.
As a part of the exhibit Women's Ceremonial Dresses: Long Ago to Today, we had the chance to display dresses made within the last decade that showcase the current dressmaking within the tribes of the area. The first apron shown within the exhibit was made by Libby Hailey through a program at the Hoopa Valley tribe. Libby is a participant in the NohołDiniłayding Niwho:ngxw (NDN Center) Xo’ji Kya’ Dress Making Project, through the NDN center a program within the Hoopa Valley Tribal Education Association. In Late 2017 the project recruited 12 local Native girls, 12-16 years old, who were committed to making their own ceremonial dresses. The project was funded by a grant from the First Nations Development Institute - Native Youth and Culture Fund, Hoopa Valley Tribe and California Dept of Education - AIEC Programs. It is one of three dressmaking programs occurring in the Hoopa area in the past year, TANF, Tribal Archives and the Hoopa Tribal Museum are assisting in other dress and regalia making efforts with youth and families.
Libby’s apron was the result of a two years of hard work of gathering materials such as pinenuts, beargrass, and sourcing other materials like the leather and glass beads. The girls also learned how to process the beargrass and pinenuts to be able to be used, as well as learning how to braid beargrass and ultimately designing their own dresses. Libbywas assisted by NDN Center staff, project mentors and participants as well as her family throughout the process. Libby is a determined teenager whose goal is to dance her finished dress in ceremonies through her young adulthood.
Libby’s apron was the result of a two years of hard work of gathering materials such as pinenuts, beargrass, and sourcing other materials like the leather and glass beads. The girls also learned how to process the beargrass and pinenuts to be able to be used, as well as learning how to braid beargrass and ultimately designing their own dresses. Libbywas assisted by NDN Center staff, project mentors and participants as well as her family throughout the process. Libby is a determined teenager whose goal is to dance her finished dress in ceremonies through her young adulthood.
|
|
We will be highlighting other dresses and adornment as they come into the case throughout the year long exhibition. Please be on the look out for announcements and more details. |