Unbroken Friendship

Designed under the direction of Coast Salish Master Weaver Jessica Silvey

Unbroken Friendship reflects the courage it takes to walk the path of reconciliation together. Through this weaving, Jessica invites us to acknowledge the impacts of the Residential School system while embracing the possibility of building trust, understanding, and lasting relationships.

As Jessica shares:
"This design represents the journey that we all need to take together towards reconciliation. It will not be an easy journey, as there is deep-rooted distrust, fear, and generational trauma in our community, and hesitation on the settlers' side. Both sides are truly entering into the unknown, but I firmly believe that this Weaving Project will help connect thoughts, minds, and hearts. It is a much-needed first step towards unbroken friendship."

The weaving begins with traditional twined weaving at each end, while the central panel features a Cherokee basket weave pattern known as Unbroken Friendship. The colours and patterns tell a powerful story. The red and black represent Indigenous people surrounded by the darkness of the Residential School era, while the grey zigzag design reflects the bluffs of Jervis Inlet, where ancient red pictographs remind us that the shíshálh people have lived on these lands since time immemorial.

Together, these elements honour resilience, celebrate enduring connections to the land, and remind us that reconciliation is built through trust, understanding, and friendship—one relationship at a time.