Join instructor Greg Biskakone Johnson of Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin in this three-day course to make traditional Anishinaabe folded birch bark baskets. This style of basket is used for maple sugar storage, but is a beautiful and useful addition to any home. When birch bark is harvested at a certain time of the year, it has a very thin layer that oxidizes and turns quite dark. This bark is called “winter bark” and is prized for basketry because designs can be scratched into the surface. To begin, the bark is folded and stitched with basswood cordage. Once completed, the basket itself becomes a field for storytelling with etched imagery. Students will choose from three patterns of baskets. All materials will be provided; this includes birch bark, basswood cordage, and two handmade tools, an awl and an etching tool, to take home for future projects. Students ages 14 and up are welcome to participate.

This course will be part of Basket Week 2021! Plan to stay a day longer for the Basket Gathering on Friday, October 8 for demonstrations, talks and community gatherings. A full schedule will be available this summer.