Karen Loom Project or Multicultural Crafts Project
Location: House For All Nations (HFAN)
1. To provide people from another culture, especially elders, with an opportunity to engage in a familiar activity
2. To provide an opportunity to pass weaving skills, or other cultural crafts, on to younger generations
3. To provide an opportunity for English conversation as visitors come to see weaving in action
4. Potentially to teach weaving skills and other crafts to non-Karen people
5. To provide a source of income for weavers and other crafters as products are sold
a. Farmer's Market?
b. Through churches?
c. At shops/stores?
d. Sell the looms themselves?
6. Ideas and Questions
a. Flyer for products describing culture and/or individuals crafting the item.
b. Public demonstration of weaving and other crafts, perhaps at a shopping centre
c. Table at Market?
d. More people visiting
i. How to advertise?
ii. Weavers club/guild here in Saskatoon?
e. Crafting evening could also be for drop-in:
i. E.g. Karen people visiting around the activity of weaving.
ii. Tea and snacks?
iii. Opportunity for English/Cultural "tutoring."
iv. Perhaps have themed discussions (conversations circles?) as part of evening.
f. What days of the week/times?
7. Dangers
a. Financial/labour exploitation of elders
b. Fatigue re. project – start small? Perhaps create a timeline for implementing different ideas?
8. Needs
a. Marketing
b. Accounting
c. Reps from different cultures?
d. Partnerships
i. HFAN, Open Doors, Global Gathering, Saskatoon crafters, Cultural groups such as the Karen youth.
