ways of knowing
Ribbon Tree
For the research stage of Branching Songs, we wanted to create a noninvasive way to attach our contact microphones to the trees we were recording and performing with. We explored land-based practices and Indigenous ways of knowing, led by Métis artist, Lara Felsing. Lara developed a set of ‘ribbons’ based on Métis Ribbon Tree healing practices using plant-based materials. The ribbon method offered more than a practical solution, it also offered a way to honour the trees participating in the performance through material forms of reciprocity.
Cotton fabric dyed with dandelion yellow.
Ribbon Tree is a traditional practice of Métis origin. Strips of fabric are created as vehicles for prayer and tied to a tree as an offering to the Earth. The ribbons are left on the tree and their material naturally returns to the land over time. The colours of the ribbons are created to reflect the colours of the grandfather spirits, and to represent the prayer being made onto the fabric before it’s tied to the tree. For example, yellow represents the eagle spirit and the sun.
Drawing the circle pattern on the fabric.
For the Branching Songs project, Lara adapted ribbons into material offerings to the trees who were participating in our sound art projects. During a performance, the ribbons draw attention to the trees as active participants in the projects, as listeners and co-creators. The ribbons also act as an interface of healing, a gesture to the trees and forests subject to centuries of unsustainable colonial logging practices such as clear cut logging. The ribbons are tied around the tree and hold the contact mics in place for our sessions. They are removed when the session is over leaving the tree intact.
Lara tying a finished print on a tree. (Photo by Gabriella Felsing)
In the process of making the ribbons, Lara carefully created plant dyes and hand-drawn symbolism. For example, she created a yellow dye from dandelions in her yard, and used it to dye cotton fabric sourced from a local thrift shop. Lara integrated patterns to signify the directions and the grandfather spirits. For example, Lara chose to draw circles onto some of the fabric strips to represent the cycles of seasons, the interconnectedness of all life, and connection to land in healing circles. She drew on the fabric with charcoal, clay, chaga and other plant dyes she made by hand.
These are the colours of the prints and their associations:
Yellow: Sun/Eagle Spirit/East
Red: Thunder Spirit/lightning/water/fire/South
White: Buffalo Spirit (all animals and other-than-human life)/North
Blue: Wind Spirit (Breath of Creator)/West
A contact microphone is securely tucked in print – cord is visible running down left side of the trunk.