Fibreshed Field School
Created by Emily Smith, Fibreshed Field School is an experiential mentorship program that investigates ecologically sensitive and economically viable methods of local textile production.
This program is inspired by and works collaboratively with Fibershed, an international network founded by Rebecca Burgess. Fibershed develops regional and regenerative fibre systems on behalf of independent working producers, by expanding opportunities to implement carbon farming, forming catalytic foundations to rebuild regional manufacturing, and through connecting end-users to farms and ranches through education.
Between September – December 2020, 18 students participated in field activities divided in three distinct mentorship cohorts, each run in partnership with internal and external collaborators as a means to engage different stakeholders in the textile industry.
Knowledge and work happened through this program are now accessible, free of charge, via Fibre Stories in form of a digital book, a podcast and a series of How to Guides.
Mentors and Facilitators
- Rebecca Burgess, Founder + Executive Director, Fibershed
- Stephanie Ostler, Devil May Wear + Instructor, SFU Beedie School of Business
- Nicola Hodges, Textiles Instructor + Maker
- Sharon Kallis, Executive Director, EartHand Gleaners Society
- Brenda Crabtree, Aboriginal Gathering Place
- Connie Watts, Aboriginal Gathering Place
- Valerie d. Walker, Indigo Griot + Artist, Emily Carr Sessional Faculty
- Tasha Nathanson, Founder + CEO, 7 Leagues Leather
- Dr. Love-Ese Chile, Founder, Grey to Green Solutions
- Pam Magee, Macgee Cloth Company
- Star Hoeraf, MorningStar Woollen Farm
- Janey Chang, Artist + Experiential Educator
- Senaqwila Wyss, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Ethnobotanist + Educator
- Meagan Innes, Indigenous Educator
This program is generously supported by the Accountability Council for Co-op Education and Work-Integrated Learning (ACCE-WIL) and the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.
