By Dylan Loonsfoot
As an eighth-generation black ash basket weaver and a member of the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish band of Potawatomi, black ash basket weaving is more than a skill to me. It is a connection to my identity, my family and culture. Basket weaving has been passed down through generations in my family, and I am one of eight grandchildren who continue that tradition to this very day.Â
A big reason I continue weaving is because of my grandfather, Steve Pigeon, who unfortunately passed away in 2018. He played an important role in keeping this tradition alive in our family. Learning this craft is one way I stay connected to him. Every time I work with black ash, I think about the knowledge he passed down and the importance of continuing what he started. Any time I work with black ash, I can still feel his presence.
In my family, basket weaving is not just an individual activity but something that brings us together. It is common for us to share techniques, help each other improve and spend time working with each other. The time together is just as important as the baskets we make. It creates a space where stories are told, lessons can be passed down and the tradition can stay alive in a hands-on way.
Being one of eight grandchildren who weave also shows how connected our family is to this tradition. Each of us may have our own style or pace, but we are all connected through the same process with the same teachings we were taught. It is something we take pride in, knowing that we are continuing what our family has worked to preserve for generations.
The process of making a black ash basket begins long before the weaving. It starts with harvesting a black ash tree, a step that requires respect for the land. However, the process has become much more difficult in recent years due to the impact of the emerald ash borer. The emerald ash borer is an invasive insect that kills the tree, which has consequently left no healthy black ash trees available in our area. My family now has to travel 13 hours one way just to find and harvest a serviceable tree. This distance that was added to get the tree just goes to show how much of the environment has been affected. The scarcity of black ash also restricts the work of other basket makers who might not be able to travel far to continue their craft.
After harvesting the tree, the log is then taken and pounded to separate the growth rings into thin and workable strips. These strips are then split into two pieces with a smooth and rough side. The rough sides are then shaved and smoothed to help prepare it to be woven into a basket.
The weaving itself takes patience, precision and of course practice. Each strip must be placed carefully, following patterns that have been used for generations. While the designs may vary, the techniques remain rooted in tradition. For me, weaving is not just about creating something beautiful and useful, but also it is about preserving a cultural practice.
As a young basket maker, I recognize the responsibility that comes with being part of this lineage. Black ash basket making is not as common as it once was. It's a dying part of the culture. However, my family and I will do our best to keep this tradition alive. Through this work, I am not only creating baskets, but also continuing a story that was my ancestors', but is now mine.
