SHILO COTE

Indigenous Artist • Workshop Facilitator • Community Connector

QUILLS ON BIRCHBARK

Creating Connection Through Art, Culture & Community

KWEY • AANII • BOOZHOO!

My name is Shilo Cote. I am a First Nations Algonquin and Odawa woman, a proud mother and wife, and a member of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, where I live and remain deeply connected to my community.

For me, art is about connection.

Connection to culture.
Connection to language.
Connection to natural materials.
Connection to community.
And connection to ourselves and to one another.

Through Quills on Birchbark, I create a welcoming space where people can slow down, learn, share, create, and connect.

ABOUT ME

My creative work is rooted in Indigenous culture, natural materials, community, and the sharing of knowledge through hands-on experiences.

I graduated in Native Social Work in 2000 and later completed Social Sciences with a minor in Sociology at the University of Ottawa. For more than two decades, my professional life has focused on supporting, advocating for, and mentoring Indigenous people and families.

My experience includes working as an Indigenous Child Protection Worker, Registered Social Worker at an Indigenous support centre, Mental Health Worker, and Life Skills Coach.

These experiences shaped how I connect with people.

They taught me the importance of listening, patience, compassion, encouragement, and creating spaces where people feel welcome and respected.

I bring those same values to my workshops.

THE WORKSHOP

QUILLS ON BIRCHBARK

A Hands-On Experience of Culture, Creativity & Connection

Quills on Birchbark is more than an art workshop.

It is an opportunity to slow down, work with natural materials, learn, share, and connect.

Participants are introduced to birchbark and porcupine quills and guided through the process of creating their own piece of quillwork.

The workshop creates space for conversation, curiosity, creativity, and reflection. Participants learn at their own pace and are encouraged to enjoy the process rather than focus simply on the finished product.

A Word of Gratitude

A special part of the workshop is learning an Algonquin word representing gratitude.

Each participant writes the word on the back of their completed piece. It is then sealed in resin, preserving the word and their creation.

Participants leave with more than something they made.

They leave with a word of gratitude, a connection to Algonquin language, a handmade creation, and a memory of sharing the experience with others.

CONNECTION IS AT THE HEART OF THE EXPERIENCE

Connection to Culture

Participants are introduced to an Indigenous art practice and the knowledge and care behind working with natural materials.

Connection to Language

Participants learn an Algonquin word representing gratitude and carry that word home with their creation.

Connection to Nature

Working with birchbark and porcupine quills creates an opportunity to appreciate natural materials and their place in the creative process.

Connection to Community

Participants create alongside others, sharing conversation, encouragement, and the experience of learning something new together.

Connection to Self

The process encourages patience, focus, mindfulness, creativity, and the simple enjoyment of working with one's hands.

WHAT PARTICIPANTS EXPERIENCE

Participants will:

• Learn about birchbark and porcupine quills
• Explore modernized tools with indigenous tradional elements
• Work hands-on with natural materials
• Learn an Algonquin word representing gratitude
• Create their own piece of quillwork
• Develop patience, focus, and creativity
• Share the experience with others
• Take their finished creation home

No previous artistic experience is required.

Everyone is welcome.

WORKSHOP DETAILS

Duration: 90–120 minutes

Group Size: 10–30 participants

Materials Included: Birchbark, porcupine quills, UV resin, UV light, tools, and PPE.

Space Requirements: Tables and chairs, good lighting, adequate workspace, electrical access, and appropriate ventilation for resin application.

Pricing: Customized based on organization, group size, location, workshop length, and materials.

Contact for pricing.

WHO CAN BOOK A WORKSHOP?

Quills on Birchbark can be adapted for:

Indigenous Communities & Organizations

First Nations communities • Friendship Centres • Indigenous organizations • Cultural centres • Support centres • Youth programs

Schools & Youth

Elementary and secondary schools • Post-secondary institutions • Indigenous student programs • Summer programs • Youth organizations

Government & Workplaces

Government teams • Indigenous employee programming • Staff retreats • Team-building • Employee engagement • Professional development

Conferences & Events

Indigenous conferences • Cultural gatherings • Retreats • Community events • Wellness events • Special celebrations

WHY QUILLS ON BIRCHBARK?

In a busy world, we don't always have opportunities to slow down and connect.

This workshop creates that space.

Participants sit together, work with their hands, learn from one another, and experience the satisfaction of creating something meaningful.

The finished piece becomes a reminder of the experience—but the connection created along the way is just as important as what participants take home.

LET'S CONNECT

I welcome the opportunity to work with organizations, communities, schools, workplaces, and event organizers to create a workshop that meets their needs.

Whether your goal is cultural learning, team connection, community engagement, wellness, creativity, or simply bringing people together, Quills on Birchbark offers an opportunity to connect through shared experience.

SHILO COTE

Indigenous Artist • Workshop Facilitator • Community Connector

Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, Quebec

Email: sales@qualityquills.ca
Phone: 819-334-3400
Social: Quality Quills — Facebook & Instagram

CULTURE • LANGUAGE • CREATIVITY • CONNECTION

Creating space to learn, create, share, and connect.