Master weaver Celeste Whitewolf, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, taught participants how to weave cattail baskets. She credits her Karuk grandmother for her knowledge of weaving the cattails into baskets.
Jarrette Werk Underscore News / Report for America
This story originally appeared on Underscore.news.
During the first week in March, snowflakes the size of dollar coins melted into the ocean waves and sandy shores at Lincoln City. Nearby, elders and community members from across the state and beyond convened at the inaugural Gathering of Native Weavers of Oregon.
In a room at the Chinook Winds Casino Resort overlooking the beach, the sounds of the waves hitting the shore and the rain pelting the windows blended together with the chimes of laughter. Nearly 150 people gathered to learn various weaving techniques from 12 Native American master weavers from across the Pacific Northwest. The event was organized and hosted by the Portland All Nations Canoe Family.
“The feel here is like family. …