ch’elkwilwet Raquel Joe

Master Weaver & Cultural Artist

ch'elkwilwet Raquel Joe has been weaving for more than ten years, carrying forward the traditions of shíshálh weaving through artistry, creativity, and cultural expression. She learned the foundational techniques of weaving from her Ɂalish kwayimin, and from the moment she first worked with wool, she discovered a lifelong passion that continues to inspire her work today.

Using the traditional three-bar Coast Salish loom, Raquel creates shawls, blankets, wall hangings, tunics, headbands, ceremonial sashes, and scarves. While traditional Coast Salish weaving once used mountain goat and woolly dog fibres, she primarily works with contemporary wool, honouring ancestral techniques while adapting them for today.

Her traditional shíshálh name, ch'elkwilwet, means "to weave back and forth and push through the warp," beautifully reflecting both her identity and her craft.

For Raquel, weaving is more than an art form—it is a deeply personal and spiritual practice. Each piece begins with inspiration drawn from dreams, intuition, and the stories she carries within. Through her work, she honours the teachings of her ancestors while sharing the beauty and resilience of shíshálh culture with future generations.