Basket

Lindsey Howtopat

2004

Cedar bark and leather

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

This type of basket is traditionally made in the field near the source of huckleberries. A basket maker will locate a grove of cedar trees near the berry camp and remove rectangular pieces of bark to fashion containers to harvest the berry crop. An oval is scribed across the center of the bark and the two sides folded up towards each other, with the engraved portion of the bark forming the bottom of the basket. Leather is used to lace up the sides of the bark and as reinforcement around the rim. Multiple baskets are usually made on site to allow the family to complete the berry harvest. 2007.24