Donna McNeil, Cedar Weaver

(L-R) Sia Aronica, Donna McNeil, and Janine Bufi

Master Artist Donna McNeil is a member of the Samish tribe who learned to weave as a from her grandmother as a youth and has now been a weaver for nearly 50 years. She lives on Orcas Island, where her family has lived for generations.

Her apprentices Janine Bufi (Samish) and Sia Aronica (Yakama) live in Ellensburg. Through a combination of in-person and online meetings, they learned a variety of weaving techniques. Additionally, Donna taught her apprentices how to harvest cedar bark and process natural materials.

“They just don’t sell a cambium layer out of a tree,” Donna explains, holding a piece of cedar and pointing to a layer just past the outer bark. “That’s what’s used for weaving.”

Although Sia’s great, great grandmother and various aunties are known for their weaving, Sia’s own knowledge centered primarily on cedar root weaving. “[Donna] was willing to share that knowledge. Being able to take part of that and still be able to laugh and joke and have the serious of it, but still be able to have the lightheartedness, because that’s one thing about, I think, our peoples, we always were laughing and joking and smiling and sharing humor amongst the teachings,” Sia says.

Sia’s creative thinking and questions resulted in frequent discussions about possible modifications and innovations leading to more in-depth conversations about nuances.

In March of 2025, the group shared about their project at the Kittitas County Historical Society. They showcased clamshell rattles, baskets, hats, and other items they wove. Sia gifted a cedar hat she made to Janine, and Janine gifted a hat she made to her father.

Janine finishing a cedar hat intended for her father.