Folk Arts - Master Artist - Lisa Telford

Lisa Telford is a master Haida basket weaver. Telford learned to weave baskets in the traditional Haida method from Delores Churchill. Telford is also a master traditional cedar garment maker. Telford learned to make cedar garments from Holly Churchill-Burns. Very few are masters of traditional Haida basketry, and cedar hat making for ceremonial dances. Lisa’s dedication to educating and preserving her culture helps to protect the disappearing traditional Haida art forms.

As a recipient of a 2004 Apprenticeship grant, Telford taught two students, Shauna Colbert and Susanne Norris, traditional Haida basketry, cedar bark gathering and preparation, canary grass harvesting, bear grass harvesting, and dyeing techniques. Both of Telford’s apprentices were selected from her introductory basket weaving class in September 2003. Both Shauna and Susanne excelled in the basketry class and were eager to learn more. Both students are involved their native community and interested in preserving Haida traditional art forms.