Carriers of Culture: Living Native Basket Traditions
odd: label: Introduction
content: Across North America and throughout the Hawaiian Islands, Native people are engaged in artistic activities deeply rooted in the everyday and ceremonial traditions of their communities. In the face of dwindling or inaccessible natural resources, loss of elders and their specialized knowledge, the profusion of cheap mass-produced goods, and the use-it-and-throw-away attitude of so many, Native artists are nevertheless gathering natural materials and weaving them into objects of beauty and profound meaning. The 2006 Festival program examined the contemporary state of Native weaving in the United States and the ways in which Native baskets - and their makers - are "carriers of culture."

One of the most important developments in indigenous basket weaving was the formation of Native weaving organizations over the previous fifteen years, bringing together weavers from diverse places to identify and examine problems, build a sense of shared experiences, foster communication and networking, share knowledge and skills, and begin to develop strategies to address some of the most critical issues they face. At local and regional gatherings held by these organizations and at workshops or symposia hosted by other supportive agencies, basket weavers began to find common voice as they articulated their concerns and experiences. At the Festival, visitors could listen to those voices while admiring the work of skilled eyes and hands.

The 2006 Festival program reflected the long-term involvement of numerous Native people and provided an unprecedented opportunity to examine contemporary issues across tribal and geographical lines. It also presented a timely opportunity to reflect on recent efforts by Native basket weavers and others to address these issues; the ways in which weaving traditions continue to be passed on; and the meaning weaving has for artists as people and as members of distinct tribal or Native communities. Most importantly, through demonstrations and discussions at the Festival and in the artists' own words, weavers themselves shared these perspectives first hand with Festival visitors.

For Native baskets to continue to be "carriers of culture" for Native traditions, there are still many challenges to overcome - challenges that were identified and discussed by the weavers themselves. The ever-changing natural and built landscape in the United States is leading to loss of plants essential to weaving. As more land moves into private ownership, weavers encounter increasingly limited access to traditional gathering sites. Non-native land management practices continue to affect the health of plant materials and of weavers themselves. Undoubtedly, other challenges to the continuity of the traditions of living Native basketry in the United States will also emerge. While much progress is being made to revitalize the basket traditions in many Native communities, there are other Native communities where basketry is in rapid decline. This means not just fewer baskets, but the irreplaceable loss of an array of indigenous knowledge linked to the art and a diminution of the diversity and richness of our American experience.

As Festival visitors learned, Native baskets were not antiquated containers or artifacts of a past life; they are very much a part of contemporary Native life and identity. Native baskets truly are "carriers of culture": they embody the knowledge of those who have gone before, those who have respect and reverence for the natural world and the plants that form their baskets, and those who have shared their knowledge with others to keep the chain of indigenous knowledge unbroken.

C. Kurt Dewhurst, Marjorie Hunt, and Marsha MacDowell were Curators, with Arlene Reiniger as Program Coordinator, Betty Belanus as Family Activities Area Coordinator, and Mary Monseur as Marketplace Native Basketry Consultant. Curatorial Advisors were: Jennifer Bates, Salli Benedict, Sally Black, Sheree Bonaparte, Peggy Sanders Brennan, Sue Coleman, Sue Ellen Herne, Sara Greensfelder, Elaine Grinnell, Terrol Dew Johnson, Sabra Kauka, Gloria Lomehaftewa, Fred Nahwooksy, Jennifer Neptune, Theresa Parker, Bernadine Phillips, Teri Rofkar, Robin McBride Scott, Theresa Secord, Tatiana Lomehaftewa Slock, and Laura Wong-Whitebear.

The program was produced in collaboration with the National Museum of the American Indian and Michigan State University Museum. Major support came from the National Museum of the American Indian, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Smithsonian Women's Committee on the occasion of its 40th anniversary. Additional Funding came from Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Michigan State University All-University Research Initiation Grant, Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, Onaway Trust, Hawai'i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Fund for Folk Culture, Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund, and the Cherokee Nation.
label: Researchers
content: Researchers and consultants

Brian Bibby, Dawn Biddison, Deborah Boykin, Peggy Sanders Brennan, Tina Bucavalas, Vernon Chimegalrea, Sue Coleman, Marit Dewhurst, Betty DuPree, Carol Edison, Lynn Martin Graton, Sara Greensfelder, Theresa Harlan, Suzi Jones, Amy Kitchener, Jim Leary, Dayna Bowker Lee, Elizabeth Lee, Molly Lee, Richard March, Kathleen Mundell, Jennifer Neptune, Laura Quackenbush, Karen Reed, Teri Rofkar, Elaine Thatcher, Theresa Secord, Malia Villegas, Lois Whitney, Robin K. Wright

Research Assistants

Beth Donaldson, Marie Gile, Je'Keia Murphy
label: Presenters
content: Howard Bass, Betty Belanus, Salli Benedict, Barry Bergey, Peggy Brennan, Schroeder Cherry, C. Kurt Dewhurst, Amy Echo-Hawk, Carol Edison, Rayna Green, Elaine Grinnell, Emil Her Many Horses, Marjorie Hunt, Sabra Kauka, Jared King, Keevin Lewis, Marsha MacDowell, Diana N'Diaye, Helen Maynor Scheirbeck, Pamela Woodis, Laura Wong-Whitebear
label: Participants
content: Native Hawaiian

Gladys Grace, 1919-, Native Hawaiian, Honolulu, Hawai'i

Edwin T. Kaneko, 1930-, Japanese and Native Hawaiian descent, Holualoa, Kona, Hawai'i

Gwendolyn Kamisugi, 1944-, Native Hawaiian, Wahiawa, Oahu, Hawai'i

Sabra Kauka, Native Hawaiian, Lihu'e, Kauai, Hawai'i

Marques Hanalei Marzan, 1979-, Native Hawaiian, Kane'ohe, Hawai'i

Harriet Soong, 1927-, Native Hawaiian, Kailua Kona, Big Island, Hawai'i

Alaska Native

Sheldon Bogenrife, Iñupiaq, Anchorage, Alaska

Delores Churchill, Haida, Ketchikan, Alaska

Holly Joy Churchill, 1955-, Haida, Ketchikan, Alaska

Daisy Demientieff, 1935-, Athabascan, Anchorage, Alaska

Evelyn Douglas, 1947-, Yup'ik, Anchorage, Alaska

June Simeonoff Pardue, 1951-, Alutiiq and Suqpiaq, Wasilla, Alaska

Teri Rojkar, 1956-, Tlingit, Sitka, Alaska

Lisa Telford, 1957-, Haida, Everett, Washington

Northwest

Elaine Timentwa Emerson, 1941-, Colville, Omak, Washington

Pat Courtney Gold, Wasco and Tlingit, Scappoose, Oregon

Elaine Grinnell, 1936-, Jamestown S'Klallam and Lummi, Sequim, Washington

Khia Grinnell, 1985-, Jamestown S'Klallam and Lummi, Sequim, Washington

Nettie Kuneki Jackson, 1942-, Klickitat, White Swan, Washington

Robert Kentta, Siletz, Siletz, Oregon

Bud Lane, 1957-, Siletz, Siletz, Oregon

Theresa Mendoza, 1985-, Makah and Lummi, Neah Bay, Washington

June Parker, 1950-, Makah and Lummi, Neah Bay, Washington

Theresa Parker, 1956-, Makah and Lummi, Neah Bay, Washington

Bernadine Phillips, Colville, Omak, Washington

Craig Phillips, 1989-, Colville, Omak, Washington

Harold "Jimmi" Plaster, 1988-, Lummi, Bellingham, Washington

Lisa Plaster, 1972-, Lummi, Bellingham, Washington

Karen Reed, 1949-, Chinook and Puyallup, Puyallup, Washington

Lynda Squally, 1981-, Chinook and Puyallup, Milton, Washington

Laura Wong-Whitebear, Colville, Seattle, Washington

Great Basin

Elizabeth Brady, 1923-, Western Shoshone, Elko, Nevada

Leah Brady, 1955-, Western Shoshone, Elko, Nevada

Sue Coleman, 1950-, Washo, Carson City, Nevada

Rebecca Eagle, 1964-, Pyramid Lake Paiute, Wadsworth, Nevada

Sandra Eagle, 1961-, Pyramid Lake Paiute, Sutcliff Nevada

California

Jennifer D. Bates, 1951-, Northern Mewuk, Tuolumne, California

Leona Chepo, 1931-, Western Mono, North Fork, California

Lois Jean Conner, 1951-, Chuckchansi, Southern Miwok, and Western Mono, O'Neals, California

Ursula Jones, 1972-, Yosemite Miwok, Mono Lake Paiute, Kashaya Pomo, and Coast Miwok, Mammoth Lakes, California

Julia Parker, 1929-, Kashaya Pomo and Coast Miwok, Mariposa, California

Ruby Pomona, 1925-, Western Mono, North Fork, California

Wilverna Reece, 1946-, Karuk, Happy Camp, California

Eva Salazar, San Diego Kumeyaay, Alpine, California

Linda G. Yamane, 1949-, Ohlone, Seaside, California

Southwest - Navajo

Kayla Black, 1992-, Navajo, Mexican Hat, Utah

Lorraine Black, 1970-, Navajo, Mexican Hat, Utah

Mary Holiday Black, 1934-, Navajo, Mexican Hat, Utah

Sally Black, 1959-, Navajo, Mexican Hat, Utah

Southwest - Apache, Hopi, and Tohono O'odham

Evalena Henry, 1939-, San Carlos Apache, Peridot, Arizona

Esther Jaimes, 1947-, Tohono O'odham, Tucson, Arizona

Dorleen Gashweseoma Lalo, 1965-, Hopi, Hotevilla, Arizona

Joseph Lopez, 1978-, Tohono O'odham, Tucson, Arizona

Wa:k Tab Basket Dancers  -- Wa:k Tab Basket DancersCecelia Encinas, 1988-, Tohono O'odham, San Xavier District, ArizonaKarlette Miguel, 1990-, Tohono O'odham, San Xavier District, ArizonaVerna E. Miguel, 1947-, Tohono O'odham, San Xavier District, ArizonaAngelique M. Moreno, 1996-, Tohono O'odham, San Xavier District, ArizonaCelestine Pablo, 1958-, Tohono O'odham, San Xavier District, ArizonaLien Pablo, 1991-, Tohono O'odham, San Xavier District, ArizonaVictoria M. Pablo, 1975-, Tohono O'odham, San Xavier District, ArizonaWynona Peters, 1989-, Tohono O'odham, San Xavier District, ArizonaCarolyn M. Reyes, Tohono O'odham, San Xavier District, ArizonaRhonalee Stone, 1995-, Tohono O'odham, San Xavier District, Arizona

Southeast - Choctaw and Chitimacha

Eleanor Ferris Chickaway, 1958-, Conehatta Choctaw, Conehatta, Mississippi

John Darden, 1960-, Chitimacha, Charenton, Louisiana

Scarlette Darden, 1963-, Chitimacha, Clarenton, Louisiana

Louise Wallace, 1949-, Choctaw, Bogue Homa, Mississippi

Southeast - Cherokee

Peggy Sanders Brennan, 1946-, Cherokee, Edmond, Oklahoma

Louise Goings, 1947-, Eastern Band of Cherokee, Cherokee, North Carolina

Lucille Lossiah, 1957-, Eastern Band of Cherokee, Cherokee, North Carolina

Robin McBride Scott, 1966-, Cherokee, New Castle, Indiana

Kathy VanBuskirk, 1961-, Cherokee, Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Perry VanBuskirk, Cherokee, Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Northeast - Maine

Ganessa Bryant, 1982-, Penobscot, Princeton, Maine

Jeremy Frey, 1978-, Passamaquoddy, Princeton, Maine

George Neptune, 1988-, Passamaquoddy, Princeton, Maine

Molly Neptune Parker, 1939-, Passamaquoddy, Indian Township, Maine

Northeast - Mohawk

Linda Cecilia Jackson, 1954-, St. Regis Mohawk, Akwesasne, New York

Sheila Ransom, 1954-, St. Regis Mohawk, Akwesasne, New York

Great Lakes

Kelly Church, 1967-, Grand Traverse Band of Chippewa and Ottawa, Hopkins, Michigan

Jacob Keshick, 1987-, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa, Pellston, Michigan

Yvonne Walker Keshick, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa, Pellston, Michigan

Cherish Nebeshanze Parrish, 1989-, Gun Lake Band of Potawatomi, Hopkins, Michigan

John Pigeon, 1957-, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, Dorr, Michigan

Johnny Pigeon, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, Dorr, Michigan

Kellogg Cultural Heritage Fellows

Kellogg Cultural Heritage Fellows are young Native people participating "behind-the-scenes" at the 2006 Smithsonian Folklife Festival and at the National Museum of the American Indian, made possible by a generous grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to the Michigan State University Museum.

Samantha Jacobs, 1983-, Seneca Nation of Indians, Collins, New York

Crystal Marie Keta Mann, 1987-, Tsimshian and Tlingit, Ketchikan, Alaska

Vanessa Manuel, 1985-, Onk Akimel O'odham, Scottsdale, Arizona

Mary Mokihana Martin, 1985-, Native Hawaiian, Honolulu, Hawai'i

Elizabeth Ann Parker, 1988-, Makah, Neah Bay, Washington

Gabe Paul, 1985-, Penobscot, Indian Island, Maine

Laura Sanders, 1980-, Karuk and Yurok, Orleans, California

Ahtkwiroton Skidders, 1982-, Mohawk, Rooseveltown, New York

Lynda Squally, 1981-, Chinook and Puyallup, Milton, Washington

Tony Stevens, 1985-, Wasco, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Warm Springs, Oregon

Carly Tex, 1984-, Western Mono, Rohnert Park, California

Kellogg Next Generation Weavers

Kellogg Next Generation Weavers are young Native people who have demonstrated a strong interest in basketry and will be weaving at the 2006 Smithsonian Folklife Festival alongside older mentor culture-bearers. Their participation in the Festival is made possible by a generous grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to the Michigan State University Museum.

Kayla Black, 1992-, Navajo, Mexican Hat, New Mexico

Ganessa Bryant, 1982-, Penobscot, Princeton, Maine

Jeremy Frey, 1982-, Passamaquoddy, Princeton, Maine

Khia Grinnell, 1985-, Jamestown S'Klallam and Lummi, Sequim, Washington

Ursula Jones, 1972-, Yosemite Miwok, Mono Lake Paiute, Kashaya Pomo, and Coast Miwok, Mammoth Lakes, California

Jacob Keshick, 1987-, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa, Pellston, Michigan

Joseph Lopez, 1978-, Tohono O'odham, Tucson, Arizona

Marques Hanalei Marzan, 1979-, Native Hawaiian, Kane'ohe, Hawai'i

Theresa Mendoza, 1985-, Makah, Neah Bay, Washington

George Neptune, 1988-, Passamaquoddy, Princeton, Maine

Cherish Nebeshanze Parrish, 1989-, Gun Lake Band of Potawatomi, Hopkins, Michigan

Craig Phillips, 1989-, Colville, Omak, Washington

Johnny Pigeon, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, Dorr, Michigan

Harold "Jimmi" Plaster, 1988-, Lummi, Bellingham, Washington

Lynda Squally, 1981-, Chinook and Puyallup, Milton, Washington
name: label: Collection Creator
content: Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
setName: label: See more items in
content: Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 2006 Smithsonian Folklife Festival
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections
identifier: label: Identifier
content: CFCH.SFF.2006, Series 3
objectType: label: Type
content: Archival materials