Shashish|Anutshish : a virtual museum to explore past and present First Nations culture.

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Quicktime VR

Title of the work

"Respecting the knowledge of my ancestors". Space divider.

Annette Nolett

Annette learned how to weave ash baskets from her family, for who the craft was their source of livelihood. As an adolescent, Annette left for the United States with an aunt, where she worked for 35 years as an industrial seamstress. Today, one of her greatest wishes is to transmit the traditional craft of ash basketry to younger generations. She has already infused her daughters, granddaughters and nieces with the same passion she has for the craft and, with her sister and granddaughter, has recently given a series of courses to other youth in the community.

Description

(2006) Black ash, pine, rush rope, nylon cord, Chinese cord, vine branches, sweetgrass, leather, beads, feathers.
Annette wanted to create a screen from the moment she started the workshop. During the design stages, this experienced artisan's project evolved into more than a mere space divider. One of the few remaining ash basketry experts, Annette wished to create an object which would transmit the skills of her valuable heritage to younger generations, an object which could create bonds between past, present, and future generations. In addition to the basketry patterns she learned from her grandparents, Annette invented a new motif for her screen. After thirty-five years of basketry work, this artisan was the first to express surprise upon realizing she could still be innovative.