Learn How to Make a Tatreez Bookmark - Workshop

This is a beginner friendly workshop for learning tatreez. Tatreez is a form of traditional Palestinian embroidery that was historically practiced by Palestinian women and taught across generations; it was inspired by geometric shapes, animals, plants, and objects of the Palestinian landscape and life. Tatreez was not merely a form of art- it was also a way of relaying narratives. We will learn how to create a simple tatreez stitch of one of three classic patterns: braid, bird, or cypress tree, as well as how to finish it into a bookmark. All materials will be provided. This workshop is for Global Majority communities (BIPOC). 

Disclaimer: Anti-Palestinian and anti-Indigenous commentary or discourse is not welcome and will not be tolerated by the facilitator. The workshop is offered based on a consensual sharing of the facilitator’s cultural practice and predicates an environment of mutual respect. The facilitator welcomes sensitivity in understanding each other’s lived experiences.

The facilitator acknowledges that this workshop is taking place on the traditional and stolen lands of the Coast Salish peoples, particularly the Qayqayt First Nation (qiqéyt)/قَقَيْط. Qayqayt in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ means “resting place”. The traditional territory of the Qayqayt First Nation was abundantly used for fishing, hunting, and picking cranberries, but the Qayqayt peoples were violently displaced through colonization. The Qayqayt First Nation is the only first nations community in BC without a current land base. The facilitator invites participants to interrogate their relationship with settler-colonialism, and to consider the interrelatedness of tactics of genocide and displacement, from Turtle Island to Palestine and vice versa.

About the facilitator: Jenan Afaneh (she/her/any) is a writer and craft-maker from Occupied Palestine. Jenan is interested in nature, poetry, and all things beautiful.

Please note, this workshop has a limited capacity and supplies. The workshop will be open for 6 people.