Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 1998)
TRIBAL TREASURE RECEIVES AWARD by Tina Retasket Nominated by our Tribal Culture Department, our own Tribal Treasure - Gladys Muschamp - was selected to receive the Affiliated Tribe’s of Northwest Indian - Indian Art Northwest 1998 Living Cultural Treasures Award. Well known for her basketry, Gladys Muschamp is one of those rare individuals remaining who practices a traditional Siletz craft. Gladys gathers her materials, cleans and prepares them, then sets out to create the wonderful works of art she so adeptly weaves. I know, I am fortunate to own two of her baskets. Gladys has shared that knowledge with others. Not that long ago, Gladys taught two of our tribal members, Bud Lane and Robert Kentta, how to make basket hats. Their creations are certainly an extension of her talent, and it shows what beautiful craftsmanship she is capable of producing and teaching. Below is an excerpt of an interview by Marci Garrett, granddaughter of Gladys Muschamp, that was submitted with the nomination form. “At the age of 5 or 6, Gladys developed her inherent gift ofbasketweaving. Gladys is one of the basket weavers in her family. Her grandmother and sister also weaved. Her older sister, Carrie, was a basketweaver, so Gladys began chumming around with her. She followed Carrie into the woods to dig roots and also aided in the preparation of the roots. Her father, James, supported Gladys’ natural talent by building low shelves to display her work. Gladys recalls learning basketry as ‘easy,’ however, easy might not be the universal term used to define basket weaving. It was clear by a very young age that Gladys was blessed with a natural talent. Carrie began selling Gladys’ baskets to settlers. Gladys recalls being the most popular member in the family because she always had a quarter from her basket sales. Before long, demand outweighed supply, so Gladys recruited NATIVE AMERICAN JOURNAL - Carrie to make baskets to meet the demand.” FREE “She has weaved off and on for 77 years. Cornell University currently has a grant She did quit weaving while she attended school to publish and distribute a Native American and work. She has taught many tribal members Journal. If you are an American Indian, Alaska and has provided private lessons as well.” Native or an individual who works with American Just a few valuable quotes from Gladys: Indian/Alaska Native students, you are eligible “When I got old, about 34 years old, to requet and receive a free one year subscription some woman tried to teach me to collect stamps, to the Native Aerican Journal. Contact but I didn’t like it. My husband, George, Akwe:kon Press at Cornell University at (607) suggested I start weaving again for a hobby and 255-4308. Or, their website address is: I’ve been weaving since.” http://nativeamericas.aip.corneil.edu When asked what she enjoyed about go to the header: Native Americas Student weaving: Subscriptions to fill out the form. The journal is “Everything. You have to be really scheduled to be printed quarterly. interested in design, gathering. 1 love to gather materials....! enjoy everything about baskets.” “My mom, Ida, told me whatever I learn WEBSITES TO VISIT: to learn it real good, no matter what it is.” It’s clear that Gladys did indeed learn Children’s Television Workshop: real good. Selene Rilatos said it best: www.ctw.oig/ “Because of Gladys’ humbling perseverance in weaving, the Siletz people are For parents of children with disabilities, the still known for their unique weaving and still Life Planning Site: performing their feather dance in their beautiful www.sonic.net/nilp/ basket caps. It makes our ancestors very happy.” National Congress of American Indians: www.ncai.oig/ Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians: www.atni.oig/ Siletz Tribe: www.ctsi.nsn.us Native American Rights Fund www.narf.oig Bureau of Indian Affairs www.doi.gov/bureau-indian-affairs.html CONGRATULATIONS, GLADYS, ON YOUR AWARD. YOU TRULY ARE A TRIBAL TREASURE. JOB OPENING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR for Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission Offices in Portland and Hood River, Oregon A master’s degree or equivalent training and experience are required along with knowledge of contracts and grant management. Able to represent tribal customs, practices and traditions to the public; Financial planning and establishing funding sources are part of the job. Deadline to apply: January 15,1999. Senda resume and cover letter listing references to: CRITFC, 729 NE Oregon Street, Suite 200, Portland, OR 97232, Attn: Violet McGuire National Indian Gaming Association www.dgsys.com/~niga/ Oregon Coast Community College www.occc.cc.or.us WISDOM OF THE ELDERS, INC. (WOTE) WO PE is a 501 (c) (3) Native American corporation whose mission is cultural preservation and education of indigenous elders’ wisdom and cultural values. For information about WOTE, call Rose at: Wisdom of the Elders, inc. 5518SEFlavel Dr. Portland, OR 97206 (503) 775-4014 -5-
