Origins
Chilkat weaving originates among the people of the Northwest Coast, ranging from Canada's Northwest coast to the tip of Alaska. The Tsimhian, Tlingit and other neighboring tribes of these regions have many traditions and customs, though some have faded into obscurity. Among these arts and traditions lies chilkat weaving. Thought the practice of this weaving varies throughout the Northwest Coast, the practice originated with the Tsimhian tribe. It eventually spread to the Tlingit, and then other neighboring tribes, through trade and marriage (Prints and Patterns 2003).
Among these tribes, chilkat weaving is used to create ceremonial dancing blankets, aprons, headdresses, bags, and more. Chilkat blankets are most well known around the world, as they were often traded or taken when traders would visit the Northwest Coast tribes. The term blanket is a misnomer, as the blankets were more like dance robes, as they would be wrapped around the wearer, with the fringe swaying with movement. These blankets are symbols of prestige and honor, and was an important piece of a chief's ceremonial garb. The designs on the blankets were created by men, and painted onto pattern boards made of cedar plants. These designs were taken from Tlingit and tribe paintings and wood carvings (Tutter 2019). The blankets were then hand-woven by dedicated women of the tribes.