'A form of healing': How Pendleton coat workshops became a place to share grief

Stephanie Crowchild made her first Pendleton coat at age 17, with the guidance of her mom and aunt.

The coat, made from the thick woolen Pendleton blanket, marked the start of her journey into teaching others the craft of coat making — and healing at the same time.

Crowchild, who is behind the brand Stephanie Eagletail designs, is from the Tsuu T'ina First Nation in southern Alberta. Eagletail is her maiden name. 

"I had always loved sewing, I always loved designing my own clothes. Ever since I was a child, I always remember … making my own little cardboard people and clothing."

It wasn't until she was in her 30s, with four children and the COVID pandemic had hit that she decided to start sewing again. 

A friend of hers asked her if she would ever teach others how to make a coat. 

"I was really hesitant at first. I'd never done that before. But my family encouraged me to give it a try ... so I gave it a try. And I really enjoyed it."

Since last spring, she's taught over 100 people how to make their own coats in communities from treaties one to 11. Recently, she held a four-day workshop as a guest instructor in Yellowknife. She'll hold another in the city starting Feb. 27.

"I think my favourite thing is seeing the pride and the joy," she said. "The confidence that they show when we're doing the before and after videos."

But it's also something bigger.

"Sewing has always been … a form of healing for myself. As an Indigenous woman, I've experienced the adversities and challenges and the social and health inequities." 

Eagletail said when she teaches about coat making, she also spends time one-on-one with people where she tries to form a deeper connection with them and allow them to share their experiences with one another.

"People tell me things … and it's when we're alone, when I'm guiding them through their first cut of the blanket, I really honour that, and I cherish the relationships that I'm building with each individual," she said.

"We're healing together, I'm healing with them. And sewing is our form of connection as women."