On April 3, the Field Museum launched Woolly Dogs, a temporary exhibition as part of Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories, which explores the history of the woolly dog and its cultural significance. Co-curated by Coast Salish author and illustrator Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun, the exhibit transforms his children's book, Sqwumey Story, into an immersive, 3D environment.
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White-Hill stated, "I have been involved in extensive research and knowledge-sharing on the Salish Woolly Dog over the last few years. It has become an incredible moment of cultural reclamation for Coast Salish people, as well as a point of growing public interest in our culture." He aims to provide cultural context and foster learning through the museum's collection of Coast Salish cultural items.
The exhibition emphasizes the role of the woolly dog in Coast Salish communities, where women cared for the breed, spun its fur into yarn, and used it to create blankets and shawls that showcased their artistry and supported economic independence. Although colonialism led to the breed's extinction, the Coast Salish people continue to honor the woolly dog as an important cultural symbol. Efforts are now underway to revive the breed.
Woolly Dogs incorporates collection items, artworks, media, and interactive elements to convey the enduring significance of the woolly dog in Coast Salish culture. Designed for families, the exhibit includes touchable items, videos, and illustrations that encourage visitors of all ages to connect with the Coast Salish communities and reflect on their own traditions. Additionally, weaving artifacts like spindle whorls and contemporary art influenced by woolly dogs will be on display.
For interview requests or further information, please contact [email protected]. Interviews with Eliot White-Hill will be available on April 16-17.