Willard "Buddy" Joseph

Squamish artists CHEPXIMIYA SIYAM’ (Chief Janice George) and SKWETSIMELTXW (Willard “Buddy” Joseph) are acclaimed weavers and respected teachers who have played a crucial role in the revival of Salish weaving over the past two decades. Although weaving has been central to the cultures of the Coast Salish peoples for centuries, the practice almost disappeared in the ongoing devastation that began with the arrival of European settlers in the Pacific Northwest during the 19th century. When they began to formally study Salish weaving in 2003, George and Joseph had to travel to Washington state where they studied with master Skokomish weavers Susan Pavel and Subiyay.t Bruce Miller. Over the ensuing years, they have become highly accomplished weavers in their own right, developing techniques and carefully studying historical photographs to identify and sometimes recreate traditional patterns and motifs that articulate their unique Squamish identity.