Woven With Our Roots Basket Weaving Retreat (2013)
May 25-27, 2013
sponsored by the Seventh Generation Fund
---What I will take away from this retreat is as long as you don’t worry about your basket being perfect things come out like they are meant to be. When you start thinking, “my basket isn’t as good as hers or I’m not as far” things really start messing up. It’s when you just relax, sit in calmness, things just go as they should. Lesson learned, “Stay calm and weave on.” ---
--- Xaawan't'i (hello). I finished my 'Woven With Our Roots Basket Weaving Retreat' basket yesterday and I am filled with emotion and gratitude. Many thanks for giving all of us the space to lose ourselves in sticks and roots and fern and grass. And of course laughter, sweet, sweet laughter.---
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Weaving Traditions To Life... (The Story of the Woven With Our Roots Retreat)
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Coming soon! We are working on the feature story about our retreat which we will be posting here! Please check back soon!
--- My creation,
with my heart my soul my mind. My creation, with my hands my sticks my twine. My creation, today, tomorrow, to come. --- |
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About California Indian Basket Weaving/ Northwest California Basket Weaving
In Northern California tribes, basketry was a learned skill used to make baskets for every day life. Baskets were used for eating, gathering, sorting and cooking. They were also used as part of ceremonies and to carry children. In today’s society, basket making has become an art form. Many tribes and tribal peoples, however, still make and use baskets in their daily lives and in ceremony. These skills are passed down not only as art but as necessities to continuing a tribal way of life and as a way of tying people to their culture so that they can better utilize the healthy, healing aspects of tradition.
Among the Hupa, Yurok, and Karuk people, traditional weaving practices are remarkably similar. These similarities are due in large part to the close proximity that these cultures have to one another as well their interest in sharing aspects of their material cultures with their neighbors. Additionally, intermarriage between tribal members from these groups was somewhat common and facilitated the spread of a popular aesthetic and method in regards to basketry. Since they shared the same landscape, the Hupa, Yurok, and Karuk use many of the same plant materials in their traditional basket weaving. The most commonly used plant materials for traditional basketry in northwestern California were Hazel (Corylus californica), Willow (Salix sp.), Conifer Root – especially Gray Pine (Pinus sabiniana), Bear Grass (Xerophyllum tenax), Woodwardia Fern (Woodwardia Fimbriata), Alder bark (Alnus sp.), and Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum). Occasionally, a skilled weaver making an especially decorative basket for ceremonial purposes might attach woodpecker feathers, dentalium shells, and even weave in dyed porcupine quills to enhance the beauty of their design.
Basket weavers from this region of California commonly used a single sided overlay method, with their designs only appearing on one side (usually the outside) of the basket. Hupa, Yurok, and Karuk weavers employed several different basketry techniques to ensure that their baskets were both functional and beautiful including plain twining, three strand twining, and lattice twining. A hallmark of Northwestern California basketry is the near perfectly trimmed rims and the precision of the designs.
Among the Hupa, Yurok, and Karuk people, traditional weaving practices are remarkably similar. These similarities are due in large part to the close proximity that these cultures have to one another as well their interest in sharing aspects of their material cultures with their neighbors. Additionally, intermarriage between tribal members from these groups was somewhat common and facilitated the spread of a popular aesthetic and method in regards to basketry. Since they shared the same landscape, the Hupa, Yurok, and Karuk use many of the same plant materials in their traditional basket weaving. The most commonly used plant materials for traditional basketry in northwestern California were Hazel (Corylus californica), Willow (Salix sp.), Conifer Root – especially Gray Pine (Pinus sabiniana), Bear Grass (Xerophyllum tenax), Woodwardia Fern (Woodwardia Fimbriata), Alder bark (Alnus sp.), and Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum). Occasionally, a skilled weaver making an especially decorative basket for ceremonial purposes might attach woodpecker feathers, dentalium shells, and even weave in dyed porcupine quills to enhance the beauty of their design.
Basket weavers from this region of California commonly used a single sided overlay method, with their designs only appearing on one side (usually the outside) of the basket. Hupa, Yurok, and Karuk weavers employed several different basketry techniques to ensure that their baskets were both functional and beautiful including plain twining, three strand twining, and lattice twining. A hallmark of Northwestern California basketry is the near perfectly trimmed rims and the precision of the designs.
About Kateri Masten (Weaving Instructor):
Aiy-yu-kwee'. My name is Kateri Masten and I am a member of the Yurok Tribe. Growing up I always had an admiration for my culture as well as a thirst for learning our traditional art of basket weaving. At the age of 6 I picked up my first lesson on weaving under my mentor/great aunt, Josephine Peters. It wasn't until the age of 18 when I became more dedicated to mastering this beautiful, unique, and challenging gift. Now, after a decade of weaving I think I finally have it down! In those ten years I have woven baby rattles, baby baskets, burden baskets, and as well as some creative pieces. Aside from weaving I recently have had the honor of teaching a women's weaving circle for the Trinidad Rancheria. I've also assisted in demonstrations/tutorials with the local youth through summer camps. I'm also a member of the Native Women's Collective which is a non-profit organization devoted to helping native artists with their art. It is my honor and privilege that this practice of tradition has given me the necessary skills to be able to pass onto others. Basketry is a gift given to us by spirituals, and the knowledge was meant to be shared to continue our traditions. Weaving takes me to a place so indescribable, and nothing pleases me more then to be able to pass on this part of our culture to all generations. You can learn more about Kateri and her work by clicking here.
Resources on Baskets/ Basket Weaving in Northwest California
| ResourcesonBaskets.pdf |
Titles below that include a photo offer a summary and review written by one of our NWC contributors. Learn more about the book and basket weaving by clicking on the title or photo!
A - B- C
Anderson, Kat. Tending the wild: Native American knowledge and the management of California's natural resources. Univ of California Press, 2005.
Anderson, Kat. Tending the wild: Native American knowledge and the management of California's natural resources. Univ of California Press, 2005.
Bibby, Brian. Essential Art: Native Basketry from the California Indian Heritage Center. Heyday Books, 2012.
Essential Art: Native Basketry from the California Indian Heritage Center features the basketry collection of the California Indian Heritage Center (CIHC). The CIHC Collection falls under the stewardship of California State Parks, and while the basketry and ethnographic collections have traditionally offered on a limited basis, scholars, tribal elders, and basket-weavers have increasingly used the collection to study traditional and contemporary basketry techniques. The CIHC Collection contains more than thirty two hundred basketry pieces from the cultures of Native California. The collection also features basketry from native cultures from across North America. With a mixture of history, ethnography, plant biology, as well as photography, Essential Art expertly details the collection of the California Indian Heritage Center and provides a comprehensive guide for basket weavers and scholars interested in the California Indian basketry. FOR FULL REVIEW CLICK HERE
Essential Art: Native Basketry from the California Indian Heritage Center features the basketry collection of the California Indian Heritage Center (CIHC). The CIHC Collection falls under the stewardship of California State Parks, and while the basketry and ethnographic collections have traditionally offered on a limited basis, scholars, tribal elders, and basket-weavers have increasingly used the collection to study traditional and contemporary basketry techniques. The CIHC Collection contains more than thirty two hundred basketry pieces from the cultures of Native California. The collection also features basketry from native cultures from across North America. With a mixture of history, ethnography, plant biology, as well as photography, Essential Art expertly details the collection of the California Indian Heritage Center and provides a comprehensive guide for basket weavers and scholars interested in the California Indian basketry. FOR FULL REVIEW CLICK HERE
Bibby, Brian. Precious Cargo: California Indian cradle baskets and childbirth traditions. Heyday Books, 2004.
This text is dedicated to exploring the variety of cradles that the Native peoples of California used/use to carry their children. The book contains an introduction about the history and importance of cradle baskets in California and three proceeding chapters organized by the style of the baskets. Chapter one is about sitting cradles and the different Indian nations who use this method; namely the Pomo, Hupa, Tolowa, Yurok, Winu, and the Atsugewi. Chapter two describes rectangular lie-in cradles with hoods. The cultures who are discussed in this section are the Western Mono, Chuckchansi/Choinumne, Wukchumne, Mono Lake Paiute, and the Washoe. The third and final chapter is concerning the ladder-back cradles made by the Mohave, Pai Pai/Kumeyaay, Ipai, Cahuilla, Serrano/Cahuilla, Chumash, Maidu, Atsugewi, and Northern Sierra Miwok. The book concludes with an essay about cradle baskets in Central California by Craig D. Bates. FULL REVIEW CLICK HERE
This text is dedicated to exploring the variety of cradles that the Native peoples of California used/use to carry their children. The book contains an introduction about the history and importance of cradle baskets in California and three proceeding chapters organized by the style of the baskets. Chapter one is about sitting cradles and the different Indian nations who use this method; namely the Pomo, Hupa, Tolowa, Yurok, Winu, and the Atsugewi. Chapter two describes rectangular lie-in cradles with hoods. The cultures who are discussed in this section are the Western Mono, Chuckchansi/Choinumne, Wukchumne, Mono Lake Paiute, and the Washoe. The third and final chapter is concerning the ladder-back cradles made by the Mohave, Pai Pai/Kumeyaay, Ipai, Cahuilla, Serrano/Cahuilla, Chumash, Maidu, Atsugewi, and Northern Sierra Miwok. The book concludes with an essay about cradle baskets in Central California by Craig D. Bates. FULL REVIEW CLICK HERE
Bibby, Brian. The Fine Art of California Indian Basketry. Heyday Books, 1996.
Chancey, Jill R. By Native Hands: Woven Treasures from the Lauren Rogers Museum Art. Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, 2005.
Cohodas, Marvin. Basket Weavers for the California Curio Trade: Elizabeth and Louise Hickox. [Tucson]: University of Arizona Press;[Los Angeles, Calif.]: Southwest Museum, 1997.
D-E-F
Eisenhart, Linda L. "Hupa, Karok, and Yurok Basketry." The Art of Native American Basketry: A Living Legacy 5 (1990): 241.
Farmer, Justin F. Basketry Plants used by Western American Indians. The Justin Farmer Foundation, 2010.
Farmer, Justin F. Creating An Indian Style Coiled Basket. The Justin Farmer Foundation, 2012.
Farmer, Justin F. Indian Cradle Boards of California and the Western Great Basin. 2013
Fields, Virginia M., and Clarke Memorial Museum. The Hover Collection of Karuk Baskets. Clarke Memorial Museum, 1985.
G-H-I
Gogol, John M. American Indian Basketry.Vol.III, No.1. 1983.
Israel, Claudia. Baskets and Weavers. Clarke Memorial Museum, 1996.
J-K-L
James, George Wharton. Indian Basketry. Dover Publications, INC. NY, 1972.
Johnson, Ron, and Coleen Kelley Marks. Her Mind Made Up: Weaving Caps the Indian Way. Ron Johnson, 1997.
Kallenbach, Elizabeth A. "The California Indian Basketweavers Association: Advocates for the Use of Museum Collections by Contemporary Weavers." Museum Anthropology Review 3.1 (2009): 1-13.
Kroeber, Alfred Louis. Basket designs of the Indians of northwestern California. Vol. 2. No. 4. The University Press, 1905.
Kurtz, Pat Lindgren. Our Precious Legacy: Mountain Maidu Baskets from the Meadows- Baker Families. Maidu Museum and Historic Site, 2010
M-N-O
Mason, Otis Tufton. Aboriginal American Indian Basketry. Peregrine Smith, Inc, 1976. (re-print of 1904).
Moser, Christopher L. American Indian Basketry of Northern California. Riverside Museum Press, 1989.
News from Native California (various Issues)
O'Neale, Lila Morris. Yurok-Karok basket weavers. Vol. 32. No. 1-2. University of California Press, 1932.
P-Q-R
Reese Bullen Gallery. Elizabeth Conrad Hickox (1873-1947) Baskets From The Center of the world. Humboldt State University, Reese Bullen Gallery, 1991.
S-T-U
Chancey, Jill R. By Native Hands: Woven Treasures from the Lauren Rogers Museum Art. Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, 2005.
Cohodas, Marvin. Basket Weavers for the California Curio Trade: Elizabeth and Louise Hickox. [Tucson]: University of Arizona Press;[Los Angeles, Calif.]: Southwest Museum, 1997.
D-E-F
Eisenhart, Linda L. "Hupa, Karok, and Yurok Basketry." The Art of Native American Basketry: A Living Legacy 5 (1990): 241.
Farmer, Justin F. Basketry Plants used by Western American Indians. The Justin Farmer Foundation, 2010.
Farmer, Justin F. Creating An Indian Style Coiled Basket. The Justin Farmer Foundation, 2012.
Farmer, Justin F. Indian Cradle Boards of California and the Western Great Basin. 2013
Fields, Virginia M., and Clarke Memorial Museum. The Hover Collection of Karuk Baskets. Clarke Memorial Museum, 1985.
G-H-I
Gogol, John M. American Indian Basketry.Vol.III, No.1. 1983.
Israel, Claudia. Baskets and Weavers. Clarke Memorial Museum, 1996.
J-K-L
James, George Wharton. Indian Basketry. Dover Publications, INC. NY, 1972.
Johnson, Ron, and Coleen Kelley Marks. Her Mind Made Up: Weaving Caps the Indian Way. Ron Johnson, 1997.
Kallenbach, Elizabeth A. "The California Indian Basketweavers Association: Advocates for the Use of Museum Collections by Contemporary Weavers." Museum Anthropology Review 3.1 (2009): 1-13.
Kroeber, Alfred Louis. Basket designs of the Indians of northwestern California. Vol. 2. No. 4. The University Press, 1905.
Kurtz, Pat Lindgren. Our Precious Legacy: Mountain Maidu Baskets from the Meadows- Baker Families. Maidu Museum and Historic Site, 2010
M-N-O
Mason, Otis Tufton. Aboriginal American Indian Basketry. Peregrine Smith, Inc, 1976. (re-print of 1904).
Moser, Christopher L. American Indian Basketry of Northern California. Riverside Museum Press, 1989.
News from Native California (various Issues)
O'Neale, Lila Morris. Yurok-Karok basket weavers. Vol. 32. No. 1-2. University of California Press, 1932.
P-Q-R
Reese Bullen Gallery. Elizabeth Conrad Hickox (1873-1947) Baskets From The Center of the world. Humboldt State University, Reese Bullen Gallery, 1991.
S-T-U
Shanks, Ralph C., and Lisa Woo Shanks. Indian baskets of central California: art, culture, and history: Native American basketry from San Francisco Bay and Monterey Bay north to Mendocino and east to the Sierra Nevada. Vol. 1. Costaño Books, 2006.
Indian Baskets of Central California focuses on basketry in three geographic areas of California. It is organized into three chapters. Chapter one begins by examining basketry in Native California generally and then continues with basketry of San Francisco Bay and Monterey Bay. Chapter two describes basketry of the interior coast range mountains. Chapter three describes the basketry of the Sierra Nevada and the Delta. This book is interesting because each chapter covers the basketry of a specific group of people. This book is written for a general audience. It contains a lot of pictures and illustrations that enhance the accessibility of the text. This book is interesting because it gives a history of basketry in the geographical areas mentioned and ties the history together with highlighting artists who have continued the basket weaving traditions in their communities. FULL REVIEW CLICK HERE
Indian Baskets of Central California focuses on basketry in three geographic areas of California. It is organized into three chapters. Chapter one begins by examining basketry in Native California generally and then continues with basketry of San Francisco Bay and Monterey Bay. Chapter two describes basketry of the interior coast range mountains. Chapter three describes the basketry of the Sierra Nevada and the Delta. This book is interesting because each chapter covers the basketry of a specific group of people. This book is written for a general audience. It contains a lot of pictures and illustrations that enhance the accessibility of the text. This book is interesting because it gives a history of basketry in the geographical areas mentioned and ties the history together with highlighting artists who have continued the basket weaving traditions in their communities. FULL REVIEW CLICK HERE
Shanks, Ralph C., and Lisa Woo Shanks. California Indian Baskets: San Diego to Santa Barbara and Beyond to the San Joaquin Valley, Mountains and Deserts. Vol. II. Costaño Books, 2010.
Turnbaugh, William A. and Sarah Peabody Turnbaugh. Basket Tales of the Grandmothers. Thornbrook Publishing, 1999.
V-W-X-Y-Z
Washburn, Dorothy K. "Dealers and Collectors of Indian Baskets at the Turn of the Century in California: Their Effect on the Ethnographic Sample." Empirical Studies of the Arts 2.1 (1984): 51-74.
Washburn, Dorothy K. "Symmetry analysis of Yurok, Karok, and Hupa Indian basket designs." Empirical Studies of the Arts 4.1 (1986): 19-45
Turnbaugh, William A. and Sarah Peabody Turnbaugh. Basket Tales of the Grandmothers. Thornbrook Publishing, 1999.
V-W-X-Y-Z
Washburn, Dorothy K. "Dealers and Collectors of Indian Baskets at the Turn of the Century in California: Their Effect on the Ethnographic Sample." Empirical Studies of the Arts 2.1 (1984): 51-74.
Washburn, Dorothy K. "Symmetry analysis of Yurok, Karok, and Hupa Indian basket designs." Empirical Studies of the Arts 4.1 (1986): 19-45
Yamane, Linda. Weaving a California Tradition: A Native American Basketmaker. Lerner Publications, 1997.
In 48 pages Linda Yamane and Dugan Aguilar (both Tribal members) Illustrate that Native people are alive and practicing their traditions. With 50 pictures and writing aimed at 3rd through 6th graders Lerner publication Company’s “We’re Still Here” Series allows for accurate, contemporary depictions of Native Americans in today’s world. Eleven year old Carly Tex is a Western Mono basket weaver. Living in Dunlap, California she lives a typical American life, but practices the basket making traditions of her family. FOR FULL REVIEW CLICK HERE
In 48 pages Linda Yamane and Dugan Aguilar (both Tribal members) Illustrate that Native people are alive and practicing their traditions. With 50 pictures and writing aimed at 3rd through 6th graders Lerner publication Company’s “We’re Still Here” Series allows for accurate, contemporary depictions of Native Americans in today’s world. Eleven year old Carly Tex is a Western Mono basket weaver. Living in Dunlap, California she lives a typical American life, but practices the basket making traditions of her family. FOR FULL REVIEW CLICK HERE
