| Folk Arts - Master Artist - Hazel PeteA member of the Chehalis tribe, Hazel Pete is 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 has 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. Now, at age 79, she says she has retired so that she can concentrate on making baskets, but she still enjoys teaching. Pete has taught basketry to hundreds of students over the years. Presently she is the only available instructor of the Chehalis coil basket. Pete is proud to be fifth in a family line of seven generations of basket makers.
Pete received Washington State's highest artistic honor in 2001 as the recipient of a Governor's Heritage Award. |