Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Introduction:
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.
Researchers:
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
Presenters:
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
Participants:
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
Collection Restrictions:
Access to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections is by appointment only. Visit our website for more information on scheduling a visit or making a digitization request. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 2006 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
