Weaving a Cover
Vibrant, durable, adaptable, and resilient, the sayncheur flayshii remains an iconic symbol of Métis culture. So when it came time to design a cover for The Unweaving, Cheryl Parisien’s novel of the Red River Resistance, the sash was one of the first images to come to mind.
But choosing the concept was only the first step. The cover had to reflect the authenticity that is a hallmark of the book. As The Unweaving is set in the Red River valley of the mid-19th century, we needed a sayncheur flayshii from that period, one that was woven in a distinctive pattern characteristic of the region. And as the story is based on historical events that continue to resonate, we ruled out illustrations or reproductions. We wanted the real deal, a photo that linked the past to the present.
Museums were the obvious place to start. The Gabriel Dumont Institute has some beautiful artifacts in pristine condition—too pristine to convey the buffeting our fictional Rougeau family endures. A diligent internet search brought us to Chester Collectionneur Antiquités and its owner, Denis Dusseault. A dealer in 19th century folk art and French-Canadian antiques for over thirty years, he has been privileged to own many sayncheur flayshii and had one in his collection of particular interest to us. Dating to the period of standardization between 1830 and 1890, his sash boasted eleven rows woven in an arrow pattern. Formally named the Assomption sash in 1857, it had previously been known as the North-West sash, having migrated west from Quebec with the voyageurs. Recognizable by its complex geometric patterns and bright colours, the Assomption sash incorporates elements of nature and spirituality in a classic design.
While it was in exceptional condition, Denis’ sash had clearly been in use for over a century – ideal for our purposes. To further meet our needs, Denis kindly photographed it against a variety of backgrounds, using antique furniture from his extensive collection. We hope the result, like the novel, is a fitting tribute to the Red River Métis community.