Coast Salish weavers collaborate on Seattle Sounders Salish Sea jersey

Coast Salish weavers Gail White Eagle of the Muckleshoot Tribe, Danielle Morsette of the Suquamish Tribe, and Connie McCloud of the Puyallup Tribe helped design the Seattle Sounders’ new Salish Sea Kit, which includes a jersey, shorts, socks, and a scarf, according to Underscore + ICT. The design incorporates traditional Coast Salish weaving patterns, colors, and symbols, including a wave, orca tail, and the phrase “x̌ax̌aʔ ti qʷuʔ” in Lushootseed and English, meaning “water is sacred.”

The weavers guided the design process, sending instructional videos to Adidas to ensure their techniques, including twilling and twining, were represented. The league donated the first $50,000 from jersey sales to local Native nonprofit organizations. White Eagle and Morsette said the project honors their culture, teaches traditional practices, and allows their communities to see meaningful Coast Salish representation in professional sports.