Wisgak Gokbenagen (Black Ash Basket)

Date

2018

Creator

"I learned to make baskets from my paternal grandmother, Agnes Rapp, my mother, Margaret Rapp, and my aunt, Jude Augusta. On Saturdays, the neshnabekwek (Indian women) would get together for basket co-ops, where they would weave, eat, socialize, and laugh. Weaving baskets is part of our history, and I know it makes our ancestors proud. I don't plan the basket ahead of time. I just start building and see where it goes. Most of the time that works, but occasionally I will tear it back down if I'm not happy with it and start again. My grandmother did very elaborate ribbon work (the thin strips of wood that bend like ribbon). Mine is not so elaborate, but it is my favorite part. It goes on last and makes the basket pretty."