I have one last post for the ACTA blog. I have continued to weave since the Master-Apprentice program with ACTA. A few weeks ago I collected willow and began my third basket. (Please see the photo of the willow and new start.) I will make another large burden or cone shaped basket with a striped pattern of willow, skin on and off. I have also included a photo of my great-great grandmother’s (Rosa Shipes) acorn design tray which is housed at UC Berkeley. I am incredibly proud of my Maidu family from Plumas County and the legacy of many skilled weavers which I am part. In addition to the valuable time spent learning to gather and weave though the project, I have been given an opportunity to serve the California Indian Basket Weavers Association (CIBA) which works for current and future weavers throughout California. This year, the organization will hold their annual gathering June 22, 23, & 24 at the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indian Reservation. If you are interested in attending the gathering or California Indian basketry, please visit their website for more information: www.ciba.org. I hope more Master-Apprentice teams will consider partnering with ACTA in the future and I thank them once again for the opportunity.
