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The Original Honor Basket
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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 Cunningham
(Little Pathway, in Penobscot)
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 Cunningham
(Little Pathway, in Penobscot)
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. |
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