“Carriers of Culture” Project Goals and Objectives

• To cultivate a wider appreciation for the work of basketmakers whose work is recognized as of outstanding cultural and artistic significance in their respective communities or traditions

• To showcase the significant contributions that the emerging associations of Native basketmakers are making to the revitalization of Native basketry

• To feature the work of basketmakers honored as National Heritage Fellowship Awardees and as awardees of various state and tribal artist recognition programs

• To raise awareness about the inter-relationship of basketry to other tribal cultural knowledge associated with ceremonies, language, stories, and other practices  

• To strengthen the market value of indigenous handmade art in order to make basketmaking a more economically viable occupation or avocation

• To raise awareness among non-Natives of not only the vital presence of long-standing and extraordinary artistic expressions but also of the very presence of Native peoples

• To stimulate increased involvement by Native peoples in the acquisition and maintenance of the skills and knowledge associated with basketry

• To raise public awareness about the critical, yet fragile inter-relationship of basketryand natural resources, including issues of access to resources and eradication of resources due primarily to human encroachment.

• To raise public awareness of the new, innovative and dynamic work being produced by Native artists on an ongoing basis

• To energize youth acquisition of indigenous language and cultural knowledge via basketmaking study and practice

(revised 10.04)