Iridescent and Irresistible Pearl Buttons

A classic choice with a rich backstory

Photo compliments of author

Riding the sea of black robes, the killer whale sparkled a message of inclusion and heritage. Created from pearl buttons, scarlet, and black cloth, the whale was the central motif of the button blanket draped over Christina Gray’s shoulders. It proclaimed the young woman’s membership in the whale clan of the Tsimshian indigenous people. Atop her head, a woven cedar bark hat served as an exclamation point. No other lawyer called to the Ontario bar that June day in 2015 wore such dramatic garb.

At first, the Law Society of Upper Canada refused Gray’s request to wear the traditional outfit. Then Gray pled her case: the clothing represented tribal law. She won. “It was the proudest moment of my life. I got to sit amongst my peers, cross the stage and receive the right to practice law in Ontario. I am equally proud that I won the right to wear my Tsimshian button blanket and cedar bark hat…”

First Nations people in button blankets, Quatsino Sound, British Columbia. Courtesy of WIkimedia Commons.

Since the 1800s, indigenous people of North America’s northwest coast have created button blankets. Originally, dark blue or black wool blankets obtained through the fur trade were decorated with local shells…