Stinging nettle (ts’ex̱ts’ix̱: Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Urtica doica: Latin) has been used around world wherever it grows for food, clothing, fibre and medicine. It is native to Europe, Asia, northern Africa and western North America, and has been introduced to many other places. Along the west coast nettle fibre was processed by stripping the fibre off the stalks then pounded and twisted into strong cordage that was knotted into fishnets. Through Northern Europe and parts of Asia it was harvested later in the year and processed similar to flax for linen and made into clothing.

Tracy Williams (Sesemiya) is a cedar weaver and member of the Squamish Nation. She is committed to teaching traditional knowledge including Skwxu7mesh identity and culture, Skwxwu7mesh snichem (language) experiential ways of learning and knowing.

With a “one-mile diet” approach to sourcing art materials, Sharon Kallis works to discover the inherent material potential in a local landscape. Sharon involves the community in connecting traditional hand techniques with invasive plant species, garden waste and growing urban “cloth crops,” producing opportunities for shared discovery and cultural connections.

Tracy and Sharon have been collaborating and learning from plants together since 2012. Recent investigations include the fishnets of this coast made from stinging nettle as a part of EartHand Gleaners Society’s Land & Sea research project.