Pomo basketry incorporates plant restoration

A partnership among tribes, the U.S. government and local private enterprise is resurrecting the art of basket-weaving for which the Pomo are historically renowned.

Three panelists speaking Thursday, April 20 before the Redbud Audubon Society highlighted efforts to restore native plants that are used by the weavers in their art. Audubon President Marilyn Waits introduced the speakers to the group, saying she was originally introduced to the project when providing small business training through Rural Community Assistance grants from the U.S. Forest Service.

Scotts Valley, Middletown and Robinson tribes have been grant recipients; the purpose of the grants is to promote traditional basket weaving as a source of revenue for local tribes.

Traditional basketry has also been taught through “Welcoming the Spirit” at Lake County Tribal Health.

Environmental Director Diana Hershey with Robinson Rancheria spoke of the problems for local weavers caused by prevalent land use practices. “Willow was used exclusively in the restoration of creeks,” Hershey said. “This created a monoculture.”

Hershey’s background is in restoration ecology and she learned through the course of her studies that an entire “palate” of plants had been put aside and was not being used -- redbud, white root sedge, grey willow, tule and dogbane.

Hershey’s presentation touched upon the plants’ benefits to a streambed ecology, especially when consistently managed by American Indian weavers. Management of willow, for instance, produces long, straight stalks that aid in sediment removal and stabilization of banks. And tule, according to Hershey, is efficient in removing nitrogen from water.

Management by weavers digging the tule’s roots help to oxygenate water down to three feet of depth. Basket weaver Luwanna Quitiquit, who is a Robinson elder, said the tribe is seeking funds for a community garden and farmer's market setup.

The tribe is presently involved in the cultivation of traditional plants and is looking at contract work for revegetation projects.

Development and farming, Quitiquit said, plus restrictive property laws, have impacted the gathering of traditional materials. Basket weavers are working with agencies to regain access to traditional plants but the plants have been badly and inconsistently managed.

A display of baskets created by Quitiquit and by three of her students -- Donna Gitchell, her husband Charles Gitchell Sr. and son, Charles Gitchell Jr. -- demonstrated colors and effects that particular materials impart when used in a basket's design. Quitiquit also passed around samples of plants that are used in creating baskets.

One of the problems with harvesting materials is that they have frequently been treated with pesticides. Panelist Alicia Carlson of Cow Mountain Kiko Goats highlighted an alternative form of vegetation management.

A six-acre project site at Robinson was divided into three one- to two-acre cells for eradicating French broom. Goats remained for one week in each site, making short work of the unwanted plant.

“You have to define what you want, not what you don't want, and work toward that,” Carlson said, explaining the consultation and planning process that preceded dispatching the goats. The project was part of a Lake County weed awareness event held in July 2005; the cells were accessible to public viewing as the goats went about their work.

Upcoming developments for the local industry include formation of a weavers' group; Quitiquit said she wants to form a non-profit society to promote Pomo basket weaving.

The panelists' presentation drew an enthusiastic and receptive response from Audubon members who were present. For information about upcoming events of the Redbud Audubon Society, see www.redbudaudubon.org.

Published in the Lake County Record-Bee