The Grand Village of the Natchez Indians will host a basket workshop for the public the weekend of July 16 and 17. The Saturday session is from 9 a.m. until noon. We will resume the class again from 2 until 5. Sunday session is from 2 until 5. Becky Walsh will teach the class and students will learn how to make pine needle baskets with additions such as beads and pine cones. The fee is $65 per person and includes all of your supplies. We can accept as many as 15 students so please register early because this is a very popular workshop.

For those of you who do not know Becky Walsh, she is a member of the Clifton Choctaw tribe in Rapides Parish, La. She is known for her beautiful hand-woven baskets that can be seen all over the world in both private collections and museums. The last time Becky taught here, many of the participants in our class expressed an interest in learning how to make beaded baskets, so Becky is coming back to help us learn more about this wonderful tradition.

If you are not familiar with Indian basketry it is intricate and beautiful work with many different basket styles and patterns. Many beautiful patterns and shapes can be made with pine needles, raffia, beads and pine cones. Baskets can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes such as elbow, heart, wall hanging, round and effigy styles. For those who are not familiar with effigy baskets, imagine taking pine needles and creating a basket that looks like an animal. At Grand Village we have alligator, turkey and chicken effigy baskets. Don’t believe me? Come by the Grand Village gift shop and take a look. While you are at it go ahead and register for the class. It is a wonderful way to spend the weekend. Regardless of the weather we will be nice and cool inside the Grand Village auditorium. Please pre-register. Make checks payable to Becky Walsh. You can mail or drop your checks off at Grand Village between 9 and 5 Monday thru Saturday and between 1:30 and 5:00 on Sundays. You can also reserve your spot ahead of time by calling Grand Village 601-446-6502, or e-mailing me at bjanderson@mdah.state.ms.us and then sending in your check.

We look forward to seeing all of you on the 16th.

Becky Anderson is the historian at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians.