Project Colibri: Strands for Sustainability

Who We Are

Project Colibri: Peruvian Textiles, Strands for Sustainability provides an outlet to sell textiles from the Sacred Valley region to North America. The aim of this project is to establish sustainability in the Sacred Valley region through the tradition of textiles, which is an integral part of the Peruvian culture, history, and economy. Over the last decade, this tradition has rapidly declined, as the younger generation of women are buying and selling textiles instead of learning the art from their elders. With this project, we aim to revitalize this important aspect of their culture and with it, establish a stronger economy in the campesino villages.

Project Colibri works directly with textile workers of the Sacred Valley, buying textiles and wool from weavers who could not normally make enough sales to sustain their families. All prices are fair and negotiated.

As well, one of our aims is to bridge the gap in the commodity chain between consumer and producer. We value the work and hours in each textile as well as the lives of the people who  create them. Through selling these textiles, we not only wish to give you a 'pretty wall-hanging' but a story that connects us to the weavers - their names, their families, the hours to make a particular tapestry, the plants they hand-picked to dye the wool, etc. Through art, tradition, and a respect for elders, we can gradually bridge a gap between the increasingly detached consumer world and the producers who are just beginning to understand the concept of paper money as a means of connection.

Origin of the Name

Project Colibri signifies "Project Hummingbird," named for the powerful Andean symbol which represents regeneration and rebirth to new life. The hummingbird symbolizes hope and is the connection between our world and the upper world. Machu Picchu from air is in the shape of a hummingbird, as well as one of the most famous Nazca Lines. With over 320 species in the world, this creature is one of the only animals whose same species span from Victoria, BC in Canada, to Ollantaytambo, Peru.

Our goal is to, in theory, be a hummingbird - the connection between Canada and Peru, bringing hope and rebirth to a new life.

Our Activities

Revenue is generated through the sales of textiles, wool, and photographs, as well as through hosting events and forums. A brief description of each is listed below:

Textiles:

• We offer scarves, tablerunners, tapestries, wallets, toques ('beanies' or 'winter hats' for those of you who are not familiar with Canadian lingo), and other one-of-a-kind weavings available for purchase (custom items available upon request).
Wool:
• We have naturally dyed and undyed alpaca and sheep wool to purchase or order. (Colours available: white, browns, greys, greens, yellows, reds and maroons)
Photographs:
• We are selling photos of the region depicting the lifestyle, weaving tradition, landscapes, portraits, Incan ruins, etc. Photos by Ashley Akins.
Events and Forums:
• We host events, photography exhibits, forums, assemblies, and slide shows to any group interested in the textile industry or topics about Peru. If you would like your school, weaving guild, or company to host an event with us, the only obligatory cost would be a small amount to cover transportation. (All events must be in the British Columbia or Washington region unless specially arranged.)


For more information on any of these activities and items for purchase, please contact us.

Our Promises

All wool is natural material made from Peruvian alpaca, llama, or sheep.

All dyes are natural, from the weavers' own plants and resources.

All textiles are hand-made on backstrap looms by campesino workers of the Sacred Valley.

All purchases are fairly negotiated directly with the weaver, either by us or the sub-projects within our organization.

All funds generated from this project will be returned to the Sacred Valley region.

We are NOT making any profit on any sales made through this project.

Where do our funds go?

This project returns 100% of its funds to the Sacred Valley of Peru. The list below describes the price break-down of a textile sale:

1/3 of the funds go directly to the weaver who made the specific textile.

1/3 supports Mosqoy's Youth Bank by helping to pay for tuition and/or housing.

1/3 helps aid a specific community revitalization project that the weaver is a part of. Please view the link on the right (Textile Revitalization Projects) to see the projects that we are currently working with.