Weaving students work on their hats on March 28, 2024 at the Wrangell Cooperative Association Cultural Center. In the forefront is Delila Ramirez who is next to Lovely Brock. (Colette Czarnecki/KSTK)

Master weaver Holly Churchill of Ketchikan visited Wrangell during the last week of March. She instructed a group of people to weave traditional Haida hats out of cedar bark. The group spent 40 hours at the Wrangell Cooperative Association Cultural Center, preparing the cedar strips and keeping the plant material hydrated. The final step was the actual weaving. Some students have weaved before while others not-so-much. In addition, other students have more practice with Ravenstail weaving, which uses animal fibers, not cedar. 

KSTK’s Colette Czarnecki visited the class and sent this audio postcard.

Master weaver Holly Churchill helps Lovey Brock with her headband on March 28, 2024 at the WCA Cultural Center. (Colette Czarnecki/KSTK)
Kelli Hughes weaves traditional Haida hat on March 28, 2024 at the WCA Cultural Center. She apprentices under master weaver Holly Churchill. (Colette Czarnecki/KSTK)
Master weaver Holly Churchill, from Ketchikan, strips cedar for weaving on March 28, 2024 at the WCA Cultural Center. (Colette Czarnecki/KSTK)