Carrying Traditions into the Present

Weaving Workshops with Loretta Burden

 

The art of basket weaving has long been a skill of the Southern Paiute. Today, very few know these ways and this art form has fallen dormant in some communities. We have organized workshops that revitalize these ways in 2019, 2021, and 2023 through hosting workshops with Great Basin basket weaver, Loretta Burden (Fallon Paiute). Loretta shares her knowledge with Southern Paiutes and other Natives living in Southern Nevada.

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Although weaving practices are traditionally passed from elder to daughter and so on, we have to be innovative to keep these traditions alive. It is traditional to be creative and we have to confront the reality of changing times and use indigenuity to adjust. What of the tribal members who want to learn? Perhaps their mother or grandmother didn’t practice the art of weaving. Knowledge has been lost, especially when families are suffering from substance abuse and cannot touch traditions. These workshops have helped to heal and pass on our traditions.

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Many tribal members have attended these workshops over the years and were happy to learn from Loretta Burden. She is a Northern Paiute (Numu) elder and was happy to pass the ways to Southern Paiute (Nuwu) attendees. The practice of cross-cultural knowledge has been an important tool to cultural continuity.

 

Fawn has learned from weavers from Ohlone (California), Havasupai (Arizona), Numu and Nuwu traditions in Nevada. Making these connections is essential to learning ways and igniting a spark to keep Indigenous traditions alive. Collaborative approaches are also a good way to bring traditional teachings to urban-based Natives. This method of working with culture bearers to share their knowledge has helped strengthen our communities.