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| Pam outdusis Cunningham "Little Pathway" Penobscot Indian Master Basket Weaver |
Featured Artists
| To contact me or to place an order feel free to e-mail me. 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 |
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I am a member of the Penobscot Indian Nation, of the Turtle clan. I was raised on Oak Hill, Indian Island, Maine, USA. It was then that I was given my Penobscot Indian name outdusis (little pathway). I was looking for a short cut to my friend's home, I spent all morning walking back and forth through the woods, from my house to my friend's making a little pathway (outdusis). I am a Penobscot Fancy Basket Maker. I love every aspect, every step of my basket making. I relish the fact that, in most ways, I am following in the footsteps of my ancestors. Many of the oldest and simplest traditions continue, from splitting and gauging fiber from the ash tree, to hand weaving each basket, to picking sweetgrass and then braiding it, for weaving into my baskets. Traditional and contemporary baskets, berry baskets, collector baskets, and originals like the sweetgrass flats. I spend my time making baskets within walking distance of the river that surrounds Indian Island, Maine. There is a strong connection between the Penobscot River and my people, Wabanaki, who use the brown ash and sweetgrass that grow along the riverbanks in honor of this relationship. The brown ash used to make my fancy baskets was hand selected and harvested in the North Maine Woods. By stripping the bark and pounding the trunk until the growth rings can be pulled off in long splints. I split, scrape and gauge these splints into weavers, standards and points used to make my baskets. I hand pick the sweetgrass, blade by blade along the coast of Maine. Then soak the dried grass and finely braid three strands together locking in other strands to achieve the continuous braid. These baskets symbolize my desire to keep native traditions and culture alive. I offer you traditionally hand made baskets. These unique baskets are signed and dated. In addition to the time that I spend working with the ash and sweetgrass, I also keep involved in other activities that help promote not only the economic aspect of basket making but also increase awareness of the history of the art. These activities include: *Current Penobscot Indian Nation Cultural and Historic Preservation Committee Member. *2007-2008, Chair-lady of the Penobscot Indian Nation Cultural and Historic Preservation Committee. *Many workshops and demonstrations. *As a Master Weaver through the Maine Traditional Art's Commission apprenticeship program, since 1999. *Tribal Resource Specialist, January-September 2005, for the Penobscot Indian Nation Cultural and Historic Preservation Department, working on school curriculum for LD291. *Membership on the Maine Indian Basket Makers Alliance (MIBA) Board of Directors, from 1998-2002, Your support in helping keep the traditions and culture of Maine Native tribes alive and thriving is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your interest in Maine Indian Basketry. Woliwoni -Thank you- |
This is my
mother, ssipsis
and my father,
Ken Thompson.
~1971 when they
were building our
house on Oak
Hill, Indian Island,
Maine, USA
mother, ssipsis
and my father,
Ken Thompson.
~1971 when they
were building our
house on Oak
Hill, Indian Island,
Maine, USA
