How to Dye Cedar Bark with Modern and Natural Dyes

This video was intended for people who are familiar with the necessary knowledge and protocols to ensure that tree bark harvesting is done safely, appropriately and without risk of injury to the tree. It is meant to help encourage people through the easy steps on how different colours can be added to their cedar projects. Using natural materials like tree bark are an amazing source of creativity and sustainable joy.
Please note that as I am non-Indigenous, I have tried to avoid topics related to cedar bark work such as private cultural protocols and practices. Instead, this video is focused on my own work experimenting with cedar bark and dyes for the passed few years which have been done with First Nations friends.
If you are interested in learning more about working with cedar bark, Shona and Martin Sparrow can be contacted at [e-mail] and at their website www.moontidereconciliation.com/. Martin Sparrow is a registered member of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm Musqueam First Nation and Shona is a registered member of Syilx Okanagan Nation (her father is also Nlaka'pamux). Please also consider reaching out to a similar Indigenous organization in your area about potential learning opportunities with this or other materials.
Western redcedars (Thuja plicata) are native to the Pacific Northwest of North America (British Columbia, Washington and Oregon). It is a mighty and celebrated coniferous tree used for carving, while the inner bark is excellent for items such as baskets, mats, clothing, regalia and more. Western redcedars are critical to our forests here in the Pacific Northwest, please consider watering the ones in your area during our hotter summers.
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I'm a wildlife ecologist who specializes in management and conservation of endangered species. I'm passionate about exploring the natural world and connecting people with nature through fiber and science. Please never cook using any of your dye equipment and always store your plants, lichens and mushrooms safely.
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[@marisolcanales881]

The land acknowledgement ❤❤❤

[@trishah9610]

I love your work. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us. I appreciate it very much 😊❤

[@WildcraftDyeing]

If course - thank you so much! I have been lucky to have received a lot of teaching so happy to pass it along. :)

[@elsiejoseph6980]

How long should I let the cedar dry after dying it with Rit?

[@WildcraftDyeing]

It’s a good question and this cedar was used the next day but you should be able to dry it and store it until you’re ready to use it. The colour is very stable so as long as it doesn’t stay wet and get moldy, you should be good to store for at least a year. But I’m also not an expert on long term storage of cedar after dyeing with RIT so you may want to get a second opinion. I generally just do the dyeing and then pass it back to the weavers.

[@philiprussell1548]

Is the water cold or warm when you put the dye in?

[@WildcraftDyeing]

I used hot water from the tap.

[@philiprussell1548]

@@WildcraftDyeing Thank you. I'm also dyeing the bark for an indigenous artist, but this is the first time I have worked with dye. I did some bark after watching your video, my first mistake, I used cold water. I used one cup of salt and one teaspoon of soap. But even after rinsing, the dye still runs to a degree. I'm also using a lot thinner strips of bark than in your video., it is being used as twine on cedar hats. I am using Red and Black dye.

[@WildcraftDyeing]

@philiprussell1548 hmm… maybe leave it for a good soak? RIT/acid dyes should absorb fairly well and run pretty clear. Hope it works out!