Weaving With the Unwanted

Decolonizing the land through stewardship and restoring kinship

English and Irish Ivy (Hedera helix and Hedera hibernica) are introduced plants considered invasive in our bioregion. They inhibit the growth and regeneration of native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees. But these plants have formed relationships with the inter-species that are part of this ecosystem that now sustains them. Calling a plant “invasive” or “noxious” can limit us from discovering the gifts intrinsic to its existence and eliminate the possibility for a relational exchange. In places where these plants are considered native, they have ecological importance, cultural significance, and have been used for their medicinal properties, too.

Join environmental artist Juliana Bedoya and the Cumberland Community Forest Society (CCFS) for a full-day workshop where you will actively practice land stewardship, removing invasive plants for ecological restoration and harvesting the fibres for basketmaking. Explore different weaving techniques and processing of the fibres to create a functional random weave basket that will remind us of the importance of our reciprocal presence in this territory we call home. Explore how we can support ecological balance and restore diversity from a decolonial approach that restores kinship while also providing a sense of belonging.

This is a two-part workshop that begins at the Cumberland Forest area to work along with the CCFS in the removal of invasives. Discuss the ecological impact and cultural considerations around some of the main invasive plants in this area to then learn how to harvest (remove), process, and prepare the fibres for basketmaking. This will be followed by a potluck lunch and some hands-on time to unpack the gifts, attributes, and creative possibilities of English and Irish ivy and put the plant material to good use. Learn how to shape, assemble, and weave a medium sized functional random weave basket using all the plant fibre gathered earlier.

Part of the Cumberland Community Forest Society’s 2024 Earth Week Festival. Cost is $50 for Cumberland Forest volunteers and donors, $100 for the general public. Register to attend at the link below.

Check out our related article Listening to the Plants by Juliana Bedoya from Volume 34.

PHOTO BY JULIANA BEDOYA