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A workshop in Native American Basket Making.
Native American Basket Making “101” - Jesse Larocque's black ash baskets express the living tradition of his Abenaki ancestors.
A basket begins in a swamp where Jesse picks a tree that will be suitable for basket making. The ash is later hand pounded, shaved, and split in preparation for being woven in the traditional manner without machines or molds.
Jesse learned from other Abenaki basket makers and his finely crafted baskets are the result of many years of hands-on experience. Jesse's pack baskets, fishing creels, and fancy baskets balance function and strength with beauty and comfort. Jesse is available to share his intimate knowledge of Native American Basketry through demonstrations as well as hands-on basket making workshops.
Schools K- 16 and adults. All programs are designed with the age and the ability of the students in mind, to hold their attention, educate them about the original Vermonters, and to have a lot of fun.
Fees range from $200 to $1500 depending on the time frame chosen. Time frames are 3 hours, 5 hours, 1 day, or a week-long residency program. Materials per student is an additional cost, as needed. Jesse is happy to discuss your ideas and needs and build a project in partnership with you.
Abenaki Indians have been making ash baskets for thousands of years. The first baskets were made from ash pounded from logs by groups of men with tree branches. Young boys carried these “splints” to the women who split them by hand. Young women then wove the bottoms of the baskets. In the evenings after the meal was finished and the children were sleeping, the women finished weaving the baskets and the men helped lash the rims on. The next day the baskets were loaded into the canoes and taken to trade at nearby villages for items that were useful. Baskets were the equivalent of money. Baskets were used in every aspect of Native life from fish traps, cooking baskets, and burden baskets, to baby cradles and more.
Passing on the teachings through participation and guided practice is alive and well today and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. A true sense of mastery and accomplishment is felt by those who complete an Abenaki-style ash basket in a workshop setting.
Jesse Larocque
General Delivery
West Danville, VT 05873
646-346-4712
info@abenakibaskets.com
www.abenakibaskets.com