Living Artists, Living Art Lecture series presents

Myrna Crossley

Recorded Dec 3, 2025

Myrna Crossley is a member of the Songhees Nation, of the Lekwungen speaking people, the traditional people’s of the land now known as Victoria, BC. Her Indigenous roots come through her late maternal grandparents and her mother, of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. Her late father was a second-generation settler of English descent. Myrna has been wool weaving since 1993, through the teachings of Master Weaver Rita (Louis) Bob of the Saanich Nation.

Myrna explains that traditionally, wool in the raw form would be washed, carted, spun on a spindle whorl and sometimes dyed. The wool would be collected from a Salish Wool dog kept and bred for that purpose, as well, traded Mountain Goat hair would be used. Plant fiber such as fireweed, cottonwood and cattail fluff as well as feather down would also be spun into the fibers. Today however, weavers use sheep wool. Myrna uses clean carted wool that she spins on a treadle spinner, preparing wool for dying with seasonal plant dye materials sourced from barks, berries and plants. Myrna prefers to use natural dyes but will use commercial dyes, if necessary, before warping andweaving on a Salish traditional loom.

Myrna’s protocol for weaving starts with daily prayers, smudging and meditation, seeking guidance and giving gratitude. Projects in development must also be ‘covered’ at the end of each day until the project is complete; and prayers are offered in the harvesting of plant dye materials, giving thanks to the land for providing. Myrna adds:

“I enjoy all aspects of Salish weaving, from gathering the plant material for dyes, the spinning and finally the weaving. I feel fortunate to have been taught a skill that my ancestors practiced and with every blanket I weave I learn something new. I was given a wooden pedal spinner handed down from my great-grandmother which inspired me to learn. Blankets have a significant importance in our culture and are used in many of our ceremonies and either worn or gifted at ceremonies. It is a practice that requires you to be of a good mind and spirit when working, otherwise the wool does not work with you. I consider myself a life-time student of weaving and grateful for the teachings from my mentors, elders, plants and wool itself.”

Myrna is now teaching weaving and is excited to share what she has learned with weaving students.