Revitalizing the tradition of the potlatch tradition is at the core of the Nooksack Tribe's Arts Participation Initiative Project. The grant helped to start the classes that teach tribal arts. The elders of the tribe pass their knowledge on to others.
Coming together to create art is in turn helping to strengthen the community. The classes take place in the Nooksack Education Center located in Deming, Washington.
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Elder Betty teaching basket weaving to members of the Nooksack Tribe. |
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Deming is located 17 miles east of Bellingham. This rural area is the gateway to Mount Baker. The town of Deming has two gas stations, two stores, a couple of places to get coffee and the Nooksack Casino. The Nooksack offices are located in the town of Deming and not on a reservation.
Sitting in on a class is a warm and inviting experience. It feels like being home with the whole family. They provided food, beverages and all the supplies. Many of the girls were working with beads to make jewelry. The young men worked diligently on making their cedar baskets. It was a truly special experience to create art in a family-like environment. Most art making takes place with one age group and most people’s family gatherings don’t include art. This combines the two experiences.
I was fortunate enough to learn from Betty how to make a basket. She patiently taught us to weave using cedar strips. The cedar had been harvested in the spring when the sap is out of the bark. The cedar is soaked to make it pliable, then cut into strips. Weaving the basket takes nimble fingers and patience. It took over an hour to make the small basket and that was with lots of help from Betty to finish the top.
In the studies by the Rand Corporation about building arts participation they talk about the reasons that people participate in the arts. A top ranking reason to is to be with friends and family. The art classes are a perfect example of this. The Education Center is in a mobile home. It feels homey with a kitchen and big tables for everyone to gather around.
The potlatch is an important part of rebuilding traditional culture. The items made during these art classes will be given away at the next Potlatch. This is an exciting time for the Nooksack Tribe as you will read from Donia.
Site visit and photo Saya Moriyasu, November 2007.
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