Our Story
Our story begins thousands of years ago on the Pacific Coast, a time when Indigenous peoples from different Nations traded handmade products to sustain their communities and ways of life. Now, this tradition continues with tumtum...
Indigenous artist Bruce Alfred and daughter Molly Willie are from the 'Namgis First Nation in 'Yalis (Alert Bay).
Together they have started tumtum threads to help to keep traditional Indigenous art, design and production within their home and partner communities, building capacity for economic resilience.
tumtum offers handwoven products created through the collaboration of First Nations families from the Kwakwaka'wakw in the Pacific Northwest of Canada, working in partnership with Zapotec (Bën za) families in the Central Valley of Oaxaca, Mexico.
Our products are designed AND manufactured by Indigenous peoples in their communities, at a time when the majority of Northwest indigenous designs are manufactured overseas in large scale factories... our goal is to change that, while bringing positive change to our communities. When you purchase tumtum threads designs you are supporting Indigenous art that is connected by two different nations.
"tumtum" means heart, and comes from the Chinook trade language that was used in the continent known as the Americas.
tumtum threads video story
tumtum threads:
Creating Pacific Northwest Indigenous Art Products
Handmade Oaxaca weavings of artisan blankets, throws, pillows and tapestries using 'Namgis native designs.
*Dyed with completely natural methods:
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Blue - Hand dyed with Indigo
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Red - Hand dyed with Cochineal
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Black - Hand dyed with Zapote Negro (which tasted a lot like a plum)
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Grey - Made from two different sheep wools. No dye!
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Contact Us
We welcome inquiries for collaboration and opportunity.
