2.3.10

The great Cowichan debate

 
 HBC Olympics "Cowichan" Sweater 

If you were in Canada then you definitely caught the Olympics closing ceremonies when everyone paraded around in those Hudson's Bay Company "Cowichan" sweaters. Many of you even want one now. There is this huge debate about them because they were not made by the Coast Salish people of Vancouver Island and outsourced to China instead of being authentically made.

Anyhow, I think they are a little gaudy personally. I saw a girl in my class wearing it and I couldn't stop staring at how strange it looked. That aside, if you like it and want one, I heard they are sold out in all of the Bay's but you may find it on eBay so go look quickly before they are too expensive.  

Aritzia Olympics "Cowichan" sweater
My "Cowichan" sweater from Aritzia.

This Olympic "Cowichan" sweater was sold in Aritzia. I think it is totally cute (if you are 12). I am not into big letters or number emblozened on my clothing personally. Clearly I am not adverse to the idea of an Aritzia "Cowichan" sweater as I bought one last November.
 
 Cool one. 'Deer' from Hill's Native Art
 
My favorite 'Eagle' from Hill's Native Art

But that was before I knew about these authentic Cowichan sweaters. They are sold at Hill's Native Art in Vancouver, but can be ordered online. There are pricey ($255 CDN) but they are handmade from sheep's wool and made to measure which means they will last forever. Seriously you could hand it down to your children. I think this will be on my XMas wish list for next year.

Wab Kinew with Dennis Thomas in his authentic Cowichan sweater.

Rapper Wab Kinew was fortunate enough to score his authentic Cowichan sweater directly from a Cowichan elder. He payed around $400 but seriously a direct sale from the artist is what many around the world dream of. Lucky boy!
 
I know many people like to get all fired up about appropriation and the use of intellectual property and such. Unfortunately this type of debate is age-old and can go back for thousands of years. B.C. Business writer Steven Schelling summed it up succinctly when he said:

"However, like all iconic fashion pieces, the Cowichan sweater has often inspired contemporary designers to put their own twist on a classic."

Does anyone complain about appropriation when using Grecian draping in designer gowns? Now I know that is a stretch, but I also think most people might want to spring for the authentic Cowichan designs. I know I will next year.

N.B. Cowichan sweaters at Hill's Native Art

See related post:
-Holy Cowichan
Posted by Lisa ~ Urban Native Girl at 6:01 PM
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8 comments:

  1. DJ TR-ONE/Fly Joint ProductionsMar 2, 2010 05:58 PM
    I'm diggin the colors of the HBC joint, not really the design. I'm with you on preferring authentic Cowichan, though. A lot of people just don't care about authenticity. Society in general goes out of it's way to waterdown and diminish the meaning and truth of everything... Kind of suck to realize Society is waging war on the differences between all of us that make us great individual human beings.
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  2. DJ TR-ONE - I think more people would prefer authentic Cowichan than you might think. It's just not as accessible for all as it is to buy things made offshore. Plus the HBC had some pretty amazing advertising, I'd say.
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  3. this is a great blog post. i was wondering about those cowichan sweaters and am not surprised to learn that, like most of the gear canada sports during the olympics, it was outsourced.

    thanks for posting the links to get the real deal. awesome post.
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  4. DJ TR-ONE/Fly Joint ProductionsMar 3, 2010 04:52 PM
    I want one with Thunderbird on it, from Hill's! I haven't seen much of anything about the HBC's (specifically) outside of your blog. Then again, I didn't bother watching the Olympics this year. Cowichans I've seen around for ages, but they've always been called "shall-neck" or "cowl-neck sweaters. I've never seen marketed as a Native made garment down here, either. I do remember my moms bought me one, when she was up in Canada for one of my brother's speed skating tournaments back in the late 70's.
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  5. Ryan - So glad you liked it. Now how badly do you want an authentic Cowichan sweater?

    DJ TR-ONE - The thunderbird is pretty hype for sure. Interesting there wasn't more coverage in the US, although it makes sense. It was a huge ordeal here when the VOC were making the deals back in October. Do you still have your sweater from the '70s?
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  6. DJ TR-ONE/Fly Joint ProductionsMar 4, 2010 08:28 PM
    No, I no longer have it. It suffered from me getting in a fight. 4 white kids attacked me one day at school because I was a "dirty filthy rotten lil prairie nigger". The sweater was ripped horribly, but I knocked the teeth out of 3 of those 4 kids. It was one of the warmest jackets I had back in the day.
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  7. I used to work at a place called Sasquatch Trading and you can still get a custom sweater for around $200, depending on size, and it's authentic. They're available online, you just have to google. They probably won't be made in time for this christmas, depending on the demand, but you can still place your order.
    The women (and some men) who make these sweaters are awesome people. There's no pattern for the sweater itself; one of the women who makes the best sweaters told me her mom made her memorize how to make a sweater as a young person so she didn't have to depend on a piece of paper.
    That was one of the best jobs I ever had.
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