| Folk Arts - Master Artist - Hazel PeteA member of the Chehalis tribe, the late Hazel Pete was proficient in gathering, drying, and processing materials for cedar bark clothing and cattail mats as well as her renowned Chehalis baskets, for which she has won many prizes. She was born on the Chehalis reservation near Oakville and grew up along the Black River, learning traditional tribal customs and the techniques for gathering, harvesting and preparing natural foods. Starting at age 5, she learned basketry by observing her grandmother, but did not get serious about the art form until much later in life, when she took it up again to please her mother, who taught Pete all she knew. Pete had a long and interesting career as an educator, lecturer, artist, consultant, and historian. While in her 60's she earned her master's degree in Indian education. In her 80s she retired so that she can concentrate on making baskets, but she still enjoyed teaching. Pete taught basketry to hundreds of students over the years. For many years she was the only available instructor of the Chehalis coil basket. Pete was proud to be fifth in a family line of seven generations of basket makers.
As the recipient of a 1994 Apprenticeship grant, Hazel Pete taught her granddaughter, Billie Higheagle to weave Chehalis coil baskets. Pete focused her teachings to Chehalis coil basket techniques and designs. Billie Higheagle is also a basket maker and teacher.
|