Seventh Generation offers Black Ash Basket Workshop

Joseph V. Sowmick - June 16, 2016

Team Observer was on location at the Elijah Elk Cultural Center for the June 15 Black Ash Basket Workshop presented by Tribal Elder and Master Basket Maker Larry Sprague.  The class was full and sold out early for the hands on workshop and the Seventh Generation Program cultural outreach series has been well received by the community.

“Whether we are offering a hand drum making, regalia workshop or the one that Larry Sprague offered today, we are pleased with the response and the community is waiting for other opportunities to learn about our traditions and cultural teachings,” Seventh Generation Administrative Assistant II Lee Ann Ruffino said.  “Larry Sprague grew up on the Reservation and his family has been making black ash baskets as long as I can remember.  For him to share these teaching with a whole new generation of Tribal members is important and beautiful to watch.”

Nimkee Accreditation and Quality Assurance Specialist Janice Wilcox and her daughter Jenna attended the Black Ash Basket Workshop at Seventh Generation. “Our instructor (Larry Sprague) was humbling and extremely knowledgeable when it came to the craft of basket weaving. He stated that both of his grandparents, maternal and paternal, had made baskets on the reservation,” Wilcox said.  “Larry has truly mastered the craftsmanship of basket weaving and he also expressed an interest in sewing. One could clearly see that from the beautiful sweet grass and black ash edging around the rim of the baskets.

A full story on the Seventh Generation Black Ash Basket Workshop will be featured in the July issue of your source for Tribal news … the Tribal Observer.