For some of the different places we gathered from, weaving is about coming together and taking care of the land. It involves deep relationships with more-than-human kin, listening to the seasons, cycles, what the land and its many more-than-human beings are telling us.
The practice of weaving is a relational practice, binding stories, people and places together as we sit in circle learning from each other. During our time together at the Sharing, Strengthening Connections and Continuing Ceremony gathering, weaving created possibilities for getting to know one another and the plants we were working with. Nervous about materials being confiscated by quarantine, we brought store-bought raffia with us, a plant that is not native to any of our lands. Yet as one of the Aunties reminded us, it also has its own stories and knowledges to share.
Weaving opens possibilities and creates something new. Gathered together in Aotearoa/New Zealand we created new connections and new relationships with each other and also with plants and trees, creating baskets, cord, bracelets, necklaces, gifts together.
