Traditional Basketry. Hazel stick, spruce and willow root, rabbit fur, white buckskin, sinew, beads and pine nuts.

My piece is a traditional Takelma baby basket. This was a special piece for me, for so many reasons. My great-great-grandmother Hattie was the last one to ever make one, I wanted my children to use one and I was determined to bring this tradition back to our tribal community.

The last 20 years I have researched many archives, museum collections, family members, photos and more on how to make a Takelma baby basket and bring them back to our community and our babies. It's important for our babies to start life in the right way, in a baby basket. The weaver who makes these for the baby say specific prayers and set intentions for the child as they make the basket. Takelma baby baskets are different from other Tribes, as they have a flat bottom, where others have a rounded or angled bottom. While making the basket there are special traditions one must follow to ensure the child grows strong and has certain qualities or traits, like gathering food, cooking, weaving, gathering foods and fibers.

Historically and contemporary, women are the backbones. We gather the food and cook for our village, for ceremonies; we bring the community together through pregnancy and birth of a child, we share in raising our community’s children and much more. A Takelma baby basket brings the community together with each new life that is born and placed in these baskets. We come together when a child doesn't make it to the baby basket and leaves the world too soon. As we gather the materials and make the basket, we set intentions for that child in supporting their community.

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