An intimate look at the work and lives of five outstanding elder Northwest basketweavers who are carrying forward their unique and rich tribal traditions.
Each basket reveals a story of harmony with the environment, cultural survival, and hope for the future. Each weaver is a master artist and an important player in the ongoing Northwest revitalization movement.
The video can be seen daily at the Northwest Museum of Art & Culture in Spokane, Washington.
Northwest Native Basketweavers: Honoring Our Heritage has been previously broadcast on PBS Stations KWSU and KTNW in Washington State. The program is entirely in Native voice with original music by James E. Greeley.
Nettie Jackson:
Klickitat / Yakama
"I do enjoy working on baskets, it’s part of me now, it’s not something I can quit doing. My Grandmothers on both sides were weavers. It was in me to do it."
Nettie Jackson lives on the Yakama Reservation in Central Washington.
Nettie is known for her Klickitat berry baskets. These imbricated baskets are coiled with split cedar roots and embellished with bear grass to create traditional designs.
Pat Courtney Gold:
Wasco
"I think what’s important about these baskets is that
almost every basket tells a story. Cultures are dynamic
and I enjoy experimenting with materials and exploring designs
to create my interpretations of current events.”
Pat Courtney Gold lives in Scappose, Oregon, in the Columbia River area, the traditional land of her ancestors. She helped
revive the full-turn twine technique of Wasco basketry
with its unique geometric designs. Pat works with
cattail leaves, tule, sedge grass, and dog bane.
Bud Lane:
Siletz
"I like to keep Siletz traditions alive. It really goes to the core of who we are as Siletz People. It’s really our link to our land. Everything comes out of the land here."
Bud Lane lives on the Siletz Reservation in the Central Coastal area of Oregon. Bud helped revive the traditional double handled twined baskets unique to his tribe. He works with hazel limbs and spruce root, embellishing with bear grass and maidenhair fern.
Helen Jim:
Yakama
“One night something speaks to me, tells me
‘People need you, you got a lot of things to do.'
After that I quit everything to think about
doing these things."
Helen Jim lives on the Yakama Reservation in Central Washington. She has been weaving for over forty years and is known for her Plateau hats. Her traditional hats are made with dog bane (Indian hemp) and corn husk. Her contemporary hats are made with raffia and colored yarn.
Mary Lou Slaughter:
Duwamish
“I would like to be known as a Tradition Keeper. I have brought the weaving back to the Duwamish tribe. I love what I’m doing.”
Mary Lou Slaughter is a descendent of Chief Seattle. She lives on her traditional tribal land, Port Orchard, Washington, near the Pudget Sound.
She is known for her cedar bark clothing, cedar bark baskets, and coiled, imbricated baskets.
