A Gift of Baskets

VMIHA has received a very special gift from islanders Terry Welch and Steve Shanaman. Thirteen baskets made by Native Americans from the Coast Salish area were recently donated, after two of them were borrowed for the museum's 2014-15 exhibit, "Vashon's Native People: Navigating Seas of Change." Terry and Steve presented this gift in support of and in appreciation for the work that the museum does in the community.In Terry's words, "I became interested in Salish basketry while living in rural King County slightly west of Duvall, on the fringes of what was traditionally the land of the Snoqualmie people. Made from materials collected from our native trees and plants (including grasses), these marvels of technology were created by women for thousands of years with only a handful of women from each generation showing extraordinary skill and artistic imagination. They were often decorated externally through imbrication with the archetypes of their world: including mountains, rain, lightning, animals, arrowheads, flying geese, plants and mythological creatures. Being both functional and artistic, these baskets were highly coveted and passed down through generations."The island of Vashon had its own indigenous group living in longhouses in several documented sites on the island, mainly around Quartermaster Harbor. It seemed only natural and appropriate to us that our Heritage Museum should have examples of this quintessential art form and icon of indigenous material culture."Baskets are so much more than storage containers. They embody the spirits of the plants from which they are made. Songs of thanks are sung while gathering the plants in reciprocation for the permission to use the carefully chosen roots, stems and branches. Songs are also sung while preparing the plants for weaving. These songs are a recognition of the weaver's dependence on the plants that supply the people with what they need. The baskets and food supplies are directly linked as the baskets are used to gather, dry, store, carry, cook and serve food.The weaver needs to know what plants to harvest, which parts of the plants work best for different baskets and what time of year is best for harvesting. She needs to learn different techniques as evidenced in these baskets - twining, coiling, plaiting - and different ways to start and end a basket. Watertight baskets are coiled, producing cooking vessels and rain hats. Clam baskets are twined with an open weave, allowing water to drain when the clams are rinsed in the salt water. Storage baskets are closely woven and often have lids. Decorative elements may be added, using contrasting colors and textures.We look forward to displaying the baskets and providing cultural information to inspire appreciation and admiration for the weavers of these useful and beautiful works of art. We are grateful to Terry and Steve for sharing these baskets with the community of Vashon.