Learn to make traditional gourd baskets with Abenaki educator Judy Dow. Techniques can include burning a design onto your gourd, painting it, or dyeing it with black walnut. You might want to weave other materials into your rim, such as reed (colored or plain), corn husks, or pine needles. You may choose to make a night light instead of a basket. If time allows, you can make accessories, ornaments, or masks out of the leftover pieces.
Judy Dow, from Winooski, Vermont, joins us at DRA at different times of the year to teach special programs. Judy is a renowned basket weaver and a life-long, award-winning educator who specializes in sharing indigenous knowledge with children. Judy is also on the Board of Directors for OYATE and the Native American Scouting Association.
For a great website with more info about Judy and her basket making, visit dawnlandvoices.org.
For ages 15 and up.
