The Original Honor Basket + the story of my dream!
The Honor Basket Story
The design for this basket came to me in a dream.
In the dream, on old friend asked me if I had a basket for sale. I held up a “curly bowl” basket. After I handed it to him,
I noticed it had changed into a magician's black hat.
In the dream, I then drove onto Indian Island, and went around visiting people and making things. While I was braiding
sweet grass at an Elder's home, I saw four dollar bills. I left to find my friend. When I met him, he was holding this
same basket, offering things from it, such as sweet grass smudgers, small prayer braids, pieces of cedar, tobacco,
sweet grass, and sage to people, as they walked by. He saw me and waved me over. That was when I noticed the
turtle on the inside of the baskets cover. "Nice basket," I said, handing him money for it. "Yes it is,” he said, smiling.
“Thank you for making it for me." He smiled and took the money, putting it in the basket. Then he said, “Good: One
for each direction. Woliwoni.”
This friend, a respected tribal member, had passed away, years ago.
Here are symbols which are woven into the basket or held within it:
The basket is constructed with a square bottom, but made with a round top, which has a long prayer braid of
sweetgrass bound along the rim. The four directions come together to form a “circle of unity.” These directions are
symbolized in plant material as follows:
South as tobacco, symbolizing nature and vitality.
West as sage, symbolizing wisdom and longevity.
North as cedar, symbolizing the past, and honor.
East as sweetgrass, symbolizing regeneration, and health.
The sweetgrass also is in honor of the Wabanaki, or the People of the Dawn. These people are the
tribes and nations of the Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot.
The turtle on the inside of the cover is woven in honor of Mother Earth.
The dragonfly has been represented to honor all of those who have passed on before us, as we celebrate the power
of “shape shifting.”
A long prayer braid is held within to bless this basket and all things it touches.
A seashell, bundle of sage, tobacco, cedar, and sweet grass are to be used by you; to honor your own desires,
dreams, and hopes.
And the heart...The heart shaped rock is for Love...and for peace.
I am honored to be able to create such a basket, and so I chose to call it the "Honor" basket.
Woliwoni (Thank you, in Penobscot).
Pam outdusis(Little Pathway) Cunningham
The design for this basket came to me in a dream.
In the dream, on old friend asked me if I had a basket for sale. I held up a “curly bowl” basket. After I handed it to him,
I noticed it had changed into a magician's black hat.
In the dream, I then drove onto Indian Island, and went around visiting people and making things. While I was braiding
sweet grass at an Elder's home, I saw four dollar bills. I left to find my friend. When I met him, he was holding this
same basket, offering things from it, such as sweet grass smudgers, small prayer braids, pieces of cedar, tobacco,
sweet grass, and sage to people, as they walked by. He saw me and waved me over. That was when I noticed the
turtle on the inside of the baskets cover. "Nice basket," I said, handing him money for it. "Yes it is,” he said, smiling.
“Thank you for making it for me." He smiled and took the money, putting it in the basket. Then he said, “Good: One
for each direction. Woliwoni.”
This friend, a respected tribal member, had passed away, years ago.
Here are symbols which are woven into the basket or held within it:
The basket is constructed with a square bottom, but made with a round top, which has a long prayer braid of
sweetgrass bound along the rim. The four directions come together to form a “circle of unity.” These directions are
symbolized in plant material as follows:
South as tobacco, symbolizing nature and vitality.
West as sage, symbolizing wisdom and longevity.
North as cedar, symbolizing the past, and honor.
East as sweetgrass, symbolizing regeneration, and health.
The sweetgrass also is in honor of the Wabanaki, or the People of the Dawn. These people are the
tribes and nations of the Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot.
The turtle on the inside of the cover is woven in honor of Mother Earth.
The dragonfly has been represented to honor all of those who have passed on before us, as we celebrate the power
of “shape shifting.”
A long prayer braid is held within to bless this basket and all things it touches.
A seashell, bundle of sage, tobacco, cedar, and sweet grass are to be used by you; to honor your own desires,
dreams, and hopes.
And the heart...The heart shaped rock is for Love...and for peace.
I am honored to be able to create such a basket, and so I chose to call it the "Honor" basket.
Woliwoni (Thank you, in Penobscot).
Pam outdusis(Little Pathway) Cunningham
You can also call me at: (207)941-9373 or write to me at: Pam outdusis Cunningham 208 Old County Rd Hampden, ME, USA 04444-1807 Payment in full when order is placed. Checks, money orders, and Visa/Mastercard accepted. |
These Honor Baskets can be ordered.
E-mail me or call. Occasionally I have
them available for sale on the BUY
NOW page.
E-mail me or call. Occasionally I have
them available for sale on the BUY
NOW page.