- July 13 2025, 2 - 4 pm
A public reading and discussion
with Liz Hammond-Kaarremaa, author of The Teachings of Mutton: A Coast Salish Woolly Dog.
The pelt of a dog named Mutton languished in a drawer at the Smithsonian for 150 years until it was discovered, almost accidentally, by an amateur archivist. This book tells Mutton's story and explores what it can teach us about Coast Salish Woolly Dogs and their cultural significance.
Join us for a presentation of The Teachings of Mutton: A Coast Salish Woolly Dog with author Liz Hammond-Kaarremaa and guests.
VIU Deep Bay Marine Field Station, 370 Crome Point Road, Bowser, BC
Join Vancouver Island University in celebrating the Coast Salish peoples’ cultural tradition of keeping (now-extinct) Woolly dogs as sources of woolly fibres used in textiles such as traditional blankets, robes and regalia. VIU’s Deep Bay Marine Field Station is near Chrome Island: once home to Woolly dogs belonging to Qualicum and K'ómoks First Nations ancestors. This island is now recognizable as the symbol of the 'Lighthouse Country tourism area, but its history goes much further back in time. Come and find out more about this important site and longstanding Coast Salish Woolly dog traditions with Liz Hammond-Kaarremaa and some of her co-authors. Joining the discussion will be:
- Chief Michael Recalma, Qualicum First Nation
- Carrie Reid, Educator and Artist, Qualicum First Nation
- Liz Hammond-Kaarremaa, Hon. Research Associate, Anthropology Department. Vancouver Island University, and Research Associate, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
- Audrey Lin, Postdoctoral Scholar, American Museum of Natural History, and Research Associate, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Dr. Lin published on Mutton's DNA in top journal Science and is currently doing follow-up research on other dog bones collected in the Comox/Qualicum area.
- Martin Martens, Professor, VIU Management Department
Admission at this public reading is free, donations welcome.
