The Fabric of Canada

The Solar Sheep of Alberta

At the Whispering Cedars Ranch in Strathmore, Alberta, we encounter the fascinating and innovative world of solar grazing.

Janna and Ryan Greir’s journey began as hobby farmers, but with Alberta’s boom in solar energy, they identified a unique opportunity: pairing grazing with the maintenance of solar farms! Their idea gained momentum and their small farm soon expanded into a bustling ranch where they now house over 400 sheep.

In the film, Janna and Ryan describe their symbiotic relationship with the sheep explaining that they use their “sheep as a service”. The sheep maintain the vegetal growth around the solar panels and provide wool.

The 100 Mile Jacket

The inspiration behind the Campaign for Wool in Canada’s 100 Mile Jacket project was to create a connection and deeper appreciation for the products that we consume and emphasizes the importance of using skilled artisans to celebrate and preserve historical skills.

Learn about the journey of a blazer that was created all within a 100-mile radius of the City of Toronto. This film tell the story of the wool value chain from farm to fashion, giving insight into the garment’s creation and the people who created it.

A Prairie Jubilee

To commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of the late Queen Elizabeth II, Manitoban fibre artist Rosemarie Péloquin creates a 100% Canadian wool bust of the sovereign. To reflect The Queen’s character, Rosemarie explores the monarch’s life, both personal and professional.

In the film, Rosemarie speaks about building connections throughout the Manitoba wool value chain. By working with local shepherds, she is able to make sure that her wool has the unique properties needed to bring these sculptures to life. Manitoba’s 25th Lieutenant Governor, The Hon. Janice Filmon shares her thoughts about how using wool as an art form has benefits beyond the wool value chain.

In an exploration of the connection between farmer and shearer, we meet Carole Precious and Don Metheral, who boast decades of experience in the Canadian wool industry and are highly regarded in their respective fields.

Carole Precious' family introduced the first Shetland sheep to Canada over 40 years ago. Carole recounts the story of bringing the breed to North America, how it has flourished since, becoming a favourite among wool enthusiasts.

Don Metheral is a legend in the Canadian shearing industry. He has represented Canada in prestigious shearing competitions around the world.

Coast Salish Weaving

Coast Salish woven blankets have important cultural and spiritual significance and play a key role in many ceremonies and rites.

Hereditary Chief Janice George of the Squamish First Nation set out to learn Coast Salish weaving as a teenager, however, she was not able to find someone to teach her until decades later.

In the recent years, Chief Janice George and her partner Buddy Joseph have set out to revive the technique by teaching Coast Salish weaving to others. In the film, Chief Janice George shares her love of wool and her family’s story about creating weavings during the pre-contact period, before the introduction of sheep’s wool.

The Knitters of Newfoundland and Labrador

NONIA knitting collective has been a part of Newfoundland & Labrador’s cultural community for over a century. Employing over 175 knitters, NONIA is a social enterprise that allows families to supplement their incomes by knitting.

Yvonne Sheppard has been a knitter for NONIA for 33 years. Passionate knitter since she was a little girl, Yvonne turned to NONIA while living through a difficult period of her life, and has been knitting for the entreprise ever since.

The story came full circle during the last Royal Visit to Canada in May, when a group of knitters, including Yvonne, met King Charles III, formerly The Prince of Wales, at the Campaign for Wool event Government House in St. John’s in 2022.