Newsletter #33 Winter 2001

e-mail us at: ciba@ciba.org or to our webmaster

From the Basketweaver Support Director
Sara Greensfelder

Eva Salazar, Kumeyaay, gathers juncus as part of the weekend's activities.

As Steve Nicola informed our readers in the last newsletter, I returned in October from my sabbatical to become CIBA’s new Basketweaver Support Director. I’m very grateful to everyone in CIBA for allowing me to take a break and re-assess my role with the association, and to the Board for appointing me to the new position. Steve Nicola’s role as acting executive director in my absence, and his willingness to continue on as our interim ED gives me the opportunity to work more closely with California basketweavers, to organize our annual gatherings, and to give support to basketweavers in other areas. I am pleased with and excited about my new job, as it allows me to do the kind of work I find the most enjoyable and rewarding.

Because it is desirable to organize CIBA’s work into different program categories, we’ve come up with the title of “Basketweaver Support” to define some of the things we already do, and to add some goals which will be of direct benefit to basketweavers. Following is a summary of most Basketweaver Support goals and objectives for 2001, adopted at the November Board meeting.

The cornerstone of the program is our annual Gathering. For the next two years, the Gathering will take place in Central California, after which it will move on to other areas of the state. (See page16 for information on the 2001 Gathering.) I will be the main coordinator of the Gathering, with assistance from CIBA staff and Jennifer Bates, who has agreed to be a co-coordinator again this coming year.

Early in 2001, we will be mailing a Basketweavers Survey to all identified California Indian basketweavers and students. We want to know what current conditions are for basketweavers throughout the state and how CIBA can better serve their needs. What do you see as challenges to your weaving, what opportunities exist and what would you like to see available? The information we gather will help to shape all of CIBA’s programs, so it’s important for us to hear from as many basketweavers as possible. I expect that we will be doing some follow up work on the survey by phone, and possibly via local meetings or visits. If you can be involved in helping to solicit responses to the survey, please contact me.

Program goals include increasing opportunities for basketweavers to learn, teach and practice basketry, and to benefit economically and otherwise from their skills and knowledge. In 2001, our California Indian Basketweavers Resource Directory, published in 1998, will be updated (via a mailed questionnaire) and republished. We hope to establish an Artist in Residence program for basketweavers to study collections of baskets in museums and institutions, beginning in California, and then expanding to other locations. We will be looking at ways to increase funding and availability of master-apprenticeship grants for basketweavers, and to establish a fellowship program for weavers which would allow them to devote more time to their weaving. CIBA will give whatever type of support we can to the formation of classes and weaving circles, and we’ll inform basketweavers of opportunities to sell, demonstrate, speak and participate in events and special projects through the newsletter and mailings.

The program will assist in the return of basket collections to Native control, ownership or access, and will work to facilitate mutually supportive relationships and projects between basketweavers and museums. Another program goal is to provide technical assistance to groups in the U.S. and elsewhere who are striving to preserve their own indigenous basketweaving traditions.

Work is already underway in most of the areas described above, and will be reported in future issues of Roots and Shoots. I would like to see more newsletter coverage of basketweaver activities around the state, so please be in touch with me or Linda Yamane, Newsletter Editor, if you have reports from your weaving circle, class or organization. And please feel free to call me with questions or requests for assistance. Call my home office number 530/292-0203, or email me at sarag@ciba.org.

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Early in 2001, we will be mailing a Basketweavers Survey to all identified California Indian basketweavers and students. We want to know what current conditions are for basketweavers throughout the state and how CIBA can better serve their needs. What do you see as challenges to your weaving, what opportunities exist and what would you like to see available? The information we gather will help to shape all of CIBA’s programs, so it’s important for us to hear from as many basketweavers as possible.

CIBA Transitions

Since the last issue of Roots & Shoots, we’ve had to say “good-bye” to a couple of CIBA staff members. After four and a half years as administrative assistant and Gathering co-coordinator, Michael Garitty has left CIBA to pursue other interests. He and his wife, Jann, who co-directed all of our Basketweavers Gatherings, have launched their own private consulting business. Michael has been a stalwart CIBA supporter and volunteer since 1992. We wish him and Jann the best in their new venture.

We also regret that Lori Harder will leave her job as Pesticide Issues Study Project Leader in CIBA’s Northwestern Field Office at year's end. She has accepted a position as environmental program coordinator with the Yurok Tribe in Klamath, California. The purpose of the project is to assess how the concerns of basketweavers and other Native people in the area over forest herbicide spraying can be better addressed (see Newsletter #31). Lori’s new job will involve dealing with herbicide use issues from the Tribe’s perspective, so we will no doubt continue to benefit from her interaction with CIBA on this problem. Congratulations, Lori.

On the positive side, it’s been our pleasure to say “hello” to Erin Noel, hired in October to be CIBA’s Resource Protection Program Coordinator. Erin is a practicing attorney with a law degree from the University of California at Berkeley and several years experience working with forestry and other resource policy issues at the local, state, and national levels. Erin takes over the position vacated by interim executive director Steve Nicola. We’ll give you a more complete introduction to Erin in the next issue of Roots & Shoots.

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Athena (Tina) Johnston
Basketweaver Profile
Norelmuk Wintu

I first became interested in genealogy, and began to do some research after listening to older family members talk about the past, and the history of the Hayfork area. I became interested in finding out who the Indian people were who were there, and how they lived their lives back then. There isn’t a lot written or documented about the people of a long time ago.

About that time, my kids, my two sons, were involved in after-school activities at the LIFE (Local Indians For Education) center, an organization that Vivien Hailstone helped found, out here in Shasta Lake City. I learned through LIFE that they were going to have a basketry class, and I thought I’d check it out. I didn’t realize at the time that I would dive headlong into it.

I came to that first class, taught by Vivien, and there were so many people. I quickly realized that I was going to have to follow her around and observe what she was teaching, because it was hard to get one-on-one. I remember when I showed up for that first class, she looked at me and asked, “Are you Indian?” I said, “Yes, I’ve got my papers, and I turned them in to the office. They said it’s okay if I be here.” She looked at me again, and she said, “Alright.” She seemed kind of skeptical at first.

At that first class, I got my little basket started and followed her around, looking over her shoulder and observing what she was doing. I took materials home with me that evening, and stayed up ‘til maybe 3 a.m., working away, and trying to figure out what I had done and how to continue. The next week, I went back with a little bit of stuff started, and continued to work. Before long, I had about three or four projects going, and Vivien was pretty surprised. She came over and looked at my medallion and said, “Oh, my! You’re going to be good.” I said, “Thank you.” After that, she spent a little more time with me, and eventually the class number dwindled. But I faithfully went to every class and I did my homework.

We also did our gathering trips. She showed us how to pick sticks first, ‘cause that was local—we can gather our willows in the Redding area. Then she took us over to do some picking of the roots. I now use spruce roots, which I gather over on the coast near the Patrick’s Point area. I have a gathering permit, and I’m careful to collect in different areas so we don’t over-pick anywhere. We also learned to gather the woodwardia fern, and she taught us how to process and dye it with alder bark. It was a couple of years later that I was able to get bear grass (see photo). Eventually, we went on a trip to pick black stem fern. By this time, I was totally hooked. When I realized that people also used porcupine quills, I got my hands on some quills and taught myself how to dye them with the staghorn lichen. Later I added redbud to my basket materials, because a lot of the baskets that the Wintu use were made of redbud.

In the earlier years, I spent a lot of time traveling with Vivien, and learned not only basketry from her, but also business. I learned how to produce basketry, but also how to display it and sell it. It has helped me financially, and selling my jewelry pieces has helped to fund my trips to the CIBA Gatherings. We traveled high and low together, everywhere we could go.

Later I got involved in teaching when Vivien invited me to be her helper. We did a couple of week-end classes at D-Q University, and some here at the LIFE center. Kathy Wallace, Vivien, and I taught a class at the Redding Rancheria tribal office, and we took them on gathering trips. In the meantime, the Norelmuk Wintu people at Hayfork approached us and wanted to set up a class that included several weekends and some gathering trips. They got a lot out of it and took it upon themselves to travel all around looking for their materials. They went out, even after I had picked sticks with them, two or three or four times after that, picking sticks, sticks, sticks, sticks, sticks! And they have picked and processed so many ferns you just couldn’t imagine! They’re working really hard now on getting some bear grass burned. They even have a group that meets once a week. There are 5-7 ladies, including my mom, Francine Eslick, who are getting together each week. These are all ladies who had not woven before. I give them all the credit for taking the ball and running with it!

These days, I’m mostly weaving for jewelry and making miniatures. I enter the Wa She Shu It Deh basket competition over in South Lake Tahoe almost every year. So far I’ve earned second place several times, in the miniature category. It’s a real competitive category, and my goal is to get that first place ribbon! Of course, I also like to make something for the CIBA Basketweavers Showcase each year.

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CIBA Selects NW California Field Director

CIBA is pleased to announce the recent hiring of Deborah McConnell as CIBA's Northwestern California Field Director. Deborah will be responsible for implementing CIBA's programs on behalf of basketweavers in the region encompassing Humboldt, Trinity, Del Norte and Siskiyou counties. She will be headquartered at CIBA's field office in Willow Creek.

McConnell, a Hoopa tribal member with Yurok and Quinault ancestry, resides in Hoopa with her husband, Robert, lead archaeologist for the Yurok tribe. She was Program Director for the Hoopa Adult Vocational Program prior to joining CIBA.

Deborah holds a Bachelors Degree in Art from Humboldt State University. In addition to her basketry, her artwork includes mural paintings, drawings, jewelry, and dance regalia. She has also taught contemporary and cultural art classes. "I am honored to have been selected as Field Director for CIBA's Northwestern California operations," she said. "I am looking forward to working with basketweavers and tribes in the area to help protect basketry plants, provide opportunities for weavers to hold classes, and to educate the public about basketweaving."

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New Book

We would like to share with our readers news of the release of a new book Panamint Shoshone Basketry—An American Art Form by Eva Slater. Limited in number, the Trade Edition (paper cover) is $39.95 and Deluxe Edition (hand-numbered, cloth cover) is $95.00. Send checks or money orders (California residents please add 7.75% sales tax) to: Sagebrush Press, PO Box 87, Morongo Valley, Ca 92256.

Email:sagebrushbooks@thegrid.net

or phone: 760/365-5671.
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Next CIBA Board Meeting Prizes Needed for Fundraiser Drawing

CIBA's Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on February 10 & 11 at the Sacramento Youth Hostel. Anyone wishing to bring an item to the attention of the board of directors for informational purposes, or for possible review or discussion, should contact the CIBA main office no later than January 19, 2001.
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One of CIBA’s most important fundraising events is the Fundraiser Drawing held at our annual Basketweavers Gathering. Proceeds from donated prizes represent a significant portion of CIBA’s non-grant operating revenue. If you have a basket, basketry-related items, jewelry, artwork, or other items you would be willing to donate to this year’s Fundraiser Drawing, please contact Karen Donohue at the CIBA main office (530/478-5660). We are especially in need of baskets. If you are a weaver, we hope you will consider donating a basket this year. Thank you!
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State Museum Resource Center

CIBA Seeks Staff for Basketweavers Showcase & Artwork for 2001 Basketweavers Gathering

CIBA is seeking both a Coordinator and Curator for the Basketweavers Showcase to be presented in June at the 2001 Basketweavers Gathering at Chaw’se (see back cover). Previous curatorial or exhibit experience is preferred for these paid positions. We are also seeking artwork suitable for a Gathering poster and T-shirt. Please contact Sara Greensfelder at her home office (530/292-0203; email sarag@ciba.org) if you are interested in either of these positions, or if you have artwork you wish to have considered.
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California State Parks invites you to tour behind the scenes of the State Museum Resource Center in West Sacramento. The museum's objects illustrate California's cultural heritage. These collections are dedicated to inspiring an understanding of California and its many people.

Of particular interest to CIBA members are the Native American collections, including a large number of California Indian baskets. Special tours limited to no more than ten persons can be arranged by calling 916/324-7002. The State Museum Resource Center is located at 2505 Port St., West Sacramento.
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Basketweavers Receive Grants from the California Folk & Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program

The Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA) has awarded grants of $2,500 each to 15 pairs of master traditional artists and dedicated apprentices representing some of California's vast cultural wealth. These grants of the California Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program support a period of intensive learning for individuals who have shown a commitment to, and talent for, a specific artistic tradition. The program is a pilot project of ACTA and is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and the California Arts Council. It is managed by the Fresno Arts Council.

LaVerne Glaze at 1996 CIBA Gathering.
PHOTO BY JANET CARON-OWENS

This year, Chukchansi basketweaver Clara Charlie of Porterville and her apprentice Jennifer Malone of Exeter, and Karuk basketweaver LaVerne Glaze and her apprentice Angela Allgier, both of Orleans, are recipients of California Traditional Arts Apprenticeship grants. Other masters chosen in the program this year include a western saddle maker from Dorris, Siskiyou County, mariachi musician from Anaheim, and Kumeyaay singer from San Diego County.

This is the second consecutive year that such grants to perpetuate traditional arts in California have been awarded through ACTA, which resumed the state arts council's program that had terminated in 1992. ACTA, in partnership with the California Arts Council, intends to secure funding so that the California Folk & Traditional Arts Apprenticeships will be funded annually.

Last year, two basketweaving projects were also funded. Ohlone basketweaver Linda Yamane taught Ohlone apprentice Carol Bachmann to weave a twined winnowing and roasting basket. Western Mono basketweaver Gladys McKinney taught apprentice Ruby Vargas (Mono/Wukchumni/Waksachi) to make a cradle basket.

LaVerne Glaze (Karuk/Yurok) is an experienced basketweaver who is committed to preserving all aspects of the art. Now that she has retired, she teaches weekly weaving lessons to children in the Orleans Elementary School, and holds a Sunday class for adults.

LaVerne has been a CIBA board member for several years and has worked with local government agencies to educate them on plant management to improve the quality of the natural materials essential to basketweaving. Eliminating the use of pesticides in the forests and knowing when and how to prune and burn are crucial to harvesting materials that are good for making baskets.

LaVerne's apprentice is her granddaughter, Angela Allgier. Angela is interested in improving her basketweaving skills, including the gathering and preparation of the necessary willow and spruce roots, willow and hazel sticks, woodwardia and maidenhair fern, alder bark, and bear grass. In doing so, Angela feels she can participate more fully in tribal traditions and pass on to her own young daughters the importance of their culture. She says, "Basketry is in every part of Karuk tradition, from ceremonies to everyday life. I believe wealth lies in what you know and can pass on to future generations. I would like to carry on in my grandmother's footsteps."

Chukchansi basketweaver Clara Charlie learned to weave baskets as a child from her grandmother at Table Mountain Rancheria in Fresno County. Today, she is well-known for her cradleboards, which grandmothers traditionally make for their grandbabies. Clara is committed to maintaining traditional basketmaking by sharing her knowledge and expertise with other interested Indian people. Over the years, she has given free classes, demonstrations, and presentations in schools and community centers. She has much to share about when and where to gather plant materials, how to prepare them, and how to weave.

Jennifer Malone (Wukchumni) began learning basketweaving from Clara about four years ago. The two have known each other for about twenty years, but started working together when Jennifer went out with Clara to learn about gathering and preparing the plant materials. Since then, Jennifer has made a cradleboard of her own and is now ready to learn about other baskets. Jennifer says, "I plan on making these baskets to be used, like the ones that were made by my ancestors. I also plan to continue doing demonstrations and teaching our younger generations."

 

My project was a baby boy's cradle basket. Gladys was my teacher. The baby cradle is made of redbud, white root, sourberry, and chaparral sticks for the rim. I started weaving about the age of 65, and now I'm very happy to have made this cradle, which is my fourth project. To me, it's like keeping our culture going, and for letting people know that you're never too old to start. Now that I'm older I've got more time. When I was younger, I was working and raising 6 children, and this work is really time-consuming. This is the culture of my people in this area, and I want to be able to teach it to my daughter, my grandkids, and my great-grandkids. That why I got involved in it. I feel good when I work with the sticks and other materials, because to us, they're living things. You talk to the plants, and you pick them, and we do all these things with care. They're alive and we treasure them.

—Ruby Vargas (Wukchumni/ Waksachi/Mono)

Ruby Vargas with cradle basket, June 2000.
PHOTO BY LINDA YAMANE

It was very exciting to be able to teach Carol to make a walaheen (or,
more correctly, a warsin), a twined winnowing & roasting basket unique to our Mutsun and Rumsien Ohlone people. This involves a complicated herringbone-type twine at the start of the basket, and a subtle pattern of diamonds that runs throughout the entire body of the basket. The pattern is not made with a dark weaving material, but is accomplished just by varying the twined stitches. It's so neat!

We had been trying to get together to make this basket, but we live so far apart and are always so busy with work and families, that it was beginning to seem impossible. This grant paid the expense of traveling and also forced us to get together on a regular schedule, so we actually did it.
I'm so happy that now there's another Ohlone weaver who knows how to make this basket. And not only that, our friend Lydia Bojorquez joined us, and she's making one, too.

—Linda Yamane (Rumsien Ohlone)

Linda Yamane (left) & Carol Bachmann (right), May 2000.
PHOTO BY AMY KITCHENER

Our basketry was pretty much lost, but Linda spent many years researching and now we can make our baskets again. It's what our ancestors did and I've wanted my whole life to learn how to make baskets, too. Now it is happening. It is something we can share with each other and with our families and others. It is something I will do for the rest of my life.

This was really a hard basket to make, and it was complicated keeping track of the pattern and adding sticks. I really got into it, though, and for days I just couldn’t put it down. Whenever I wasn’t at work, I was working on my basket. It always feels so good to weave, and I feel good to be learning what wasn’t done for such a long time.

We went out gathering willow sticks up in Carmel Valley, and got our sedge at Fort Ord. I spent hours and hours and hours and hours cleaning sedge. I like to clean a lot of sedge first, so I can weave longer without running out of materials. I haven’t used my new walaheen basket yet, but I’m looking forward to it. Right now I’m just enjoying looking at it, and it’s a great feeling of accomplishment.

—Carol Bachmann (Mutsun Ohlone)

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Nex'wetem — Southern California Basketweavers Gathering
Lorene Sisquoc
Photos by Beverly R. Ortiz

On the last weekend of October, basketweavers and
those wanting to learn basketweaving, or observe and support basketweavers, gathered together for the First Annual Southern California Basketweavers Gathering. Nex’wetem, Southern California Indian Basketweavers Organization coordinated this event. Nex’wetem is a newly formed non-profit organization established to support traditional weavers from the southern part of California.

Donna Largo (Cahuilla)

Co-founders of Nex’wetem are Donna Largo, Rosemary Morillo, Lorene Sisquoc, Daniel McCarthy and Michael Rodarti. The five of us had been talking about having a gathering here for many years, but were all so busy that we never got past just talking about it. Finally, Donna Largo called a meeting and said she wanted to have a gathering, inviting all the students we’ve ever taught, and open to others who were interested. Daniel arranged through San Bernardino National Forest officials for use of the Allendale fire station in the community of Pine Cove, near Idyllwild. We picked a date and got started mailing out fliers.

The response was overwhelming. Calls came in from all the local tribes. Nearly two hundred people wanted to come. So we solicited some funding from the local casinos. We couldn’t believe the response! Agua Caliente Band of Mission Indians, Twenty-nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Pechanga Band of Mission Indians, Cahuilla Band of Mission Indians and Viejas Tribe all made generous donations to our event and operations.

When Friday the set up day came, so did a cold fall storm. Snow was just a few hundred feet above us and it was cold! But that didn’t stop our brave volunteers, who all showed up anyway. Signs were posted; canopies, chairs and tables were set up; firewood was hauled in and the cooks were busy setting up the kitchen—it was all a “go.” Dawn Wellman was the head cook and what a fine job she did! And not only is Daniel McCarthy a great coordinator and Vice-president, but he can make some great pancakes, as well!

Saturday morning came and so did the participants. Guests included elders to youth from the Quechan, Kumeyaii, Chumash, Gabrielino, Cahuilla, Luiseño, Juaneño tribes and a few out of state guests who came to learn about our baskets. After breakfast we started with a blessing, followed by an opening circle. Then teachers began the lessons of preparing materials. Donna Largo taught how to prepare the yucca leaves into fibers for the start of a coiled basket. Dee Dominguez and Abe Sanchez showed participants how to split the juncus reed into weaving strips. Eva Salazar showed how the Sumac could be split into three sections for the beautiful strong white-colored weaving strips in our coiled baskets. After lunch, the weaving circles began. Barbara Drake (Gabrielino/Tongva) of the Mother Earth Clan organization had an informative display of native plants and their uses. Louie Robles (Juaneño) demonstrated how to make cordage using plant fibers.

A highlight was our special guests from the Mewuk Tribe, Jennifer Bates, CIBA board Chairperson, and former CIBA board member Kimberly Stevenot. They demonstrated the traditional way of cooking acorn meal in baskets using hot rocks. This has not been done in our area for many years; therefore, it was an honor to have it done here and have our Elders watching with interest. It sparked a desire amongst the weavers to revive this method of cooking for our gatherings and ceremonies. Kimberly honored us with a gift of an oak rock lifter.

After dinner Mr. Levi and the Inter-Tribal Birdsingers provided the entertainment, with singing, dancing, laughing and joking by the campfires. On Sunday, participants went on field trips to local gathering areas for juncus, deergrass, sumac, and acorns.

Everyone seemed pleased with the success of the gathering and we are looking forward to future ones.

The location was just about the most ideal place that we could have gone. A lot of people were excited about the acorns being there, and they were talking to the trees and picking up their acorns, and giving their offerings. Very often we can’t be on our land, and so it’s very difficult, but I saw this as a beautiful gift that was given as part of the day—to have the surroundings of those beautiful native plants.

I really see a future for us. There’s a need for us to come together and share those stories, and laugh, and meet friends that you haven’t seen for a long time. I saw a lot of relatives there, a lot of cousins, and we enjoyed ourselves so much. It was like a big family reunion. There were lots of hugs and hello’s.
I liked seeing the men participate; many of the men tried their hand at it. That means that they were in great support of what we were trying to do that day.

The food was outstanding! All the ladies that were in the kitchen have great rewards for all their love that went into that food. That was tremendous, making that food, and for everyone to share. I hope that we will see these things continue so that we can bring our grandchildren and they can see the things that our people saw.

—Barbara Drake (Gabrielino/Tongva)

Making yucca cordage. Photo by Lori Sisquoc

Lori Sisquoc (Cahuilla/Ft. Sill Apache)

There were so many people, it was a great turnout.
The weather was really crisp, and we went out acorn gathering and identifying plants. The young girls were stripping sumac in the afternoon. We were also invited to go out gathering juncus, and some of the girls had never gone out gathering juncus before. They were so excited. It was a great weekend—everybody was learning about something. Everybody got along so great, and everybody was learning from everybody. Even with the weather being chilly like it was, everybody was so enthusiastic. The fires were burning all day long. It was outdoors all the time, and so we felt everything—the fire, the smoke, the whole experience.

—Marian Walkingstick (Juaneño Band of Mission Indians Acjachemen Nation)

I attended the basketweavers gathering as a singer, but it was so good that I stayed. What was interesting about the whole event was the dedication that the women, and some of the men, have to keep the art alive. And how they’re so eager to teach other people to learn the craft, so the craft itself will go on for another generation. I felt like it was just one big family; everybody knew each other and everybody felt comfortable to ask questions. The group made you feel like you were part of the family. I saw this unity of basketmakers to carry on their craft.

—Leroy Miranda (Pala Band of Mission Indians)

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Modoc National Forest Favors Herbicides

In late September, CIBA received a notice from the Modoc National Forest informing us of their decision to go forward with a major herbicide project despite our written objections (see Newsletter #32). They plan to apply over 116,000 pounds of the herbicide hexazinone by helicopter on more than 5,000 acres burned in the 1996 Long Damon fire. The Forest Service wants to remove vegetation said to slow the growth and reduce the survival of planted trees. The area supports pronghorn antelope, Swainson’s hawk, sage grouse, and a variety of culturally important plant species, including chokecherry, wild plum, balsam root, and sagebrush, that would be affected by the herbicide. Baker’s globe mallow, deemed to be a “sensitive plant” by the Forest Service, has grown in abundance in the area since the fire. The district ranger okayed the project despite Forest Service regulations that prohibit harming “sensitive” species.

The decision also comes on the heels of a 1999 policy directive from the Regional Forester requiring very explicit criteria to be met before hexazinone could be applied from the air on California national forests. The Regional Forester stated that hexazinone may be applied aerially only where it is “essential” and where “sensitive areas such as sensitive plant or other resource areas” do not occur. It is our belief, and that of others, that these criteria were not met in the Long Damon project proposal.

CIBA has joined the California Native Plant Society and others in a formal appeal to the Regional Forester of the District Ranger’s decision. The appeal cites a number of violations under the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Forest Management Act, in addition to the failure to meet the Regional Forester’s policy guidelines. The appeal has prevented application of the herbicide this fall and winter, but if unsuccessful, herbicides could begin falling from the sky over the Modoc National Forest as early as next spring. For more information about this and other herbicide projects on public lands, contact CIBA’s Resource Protection Program at 530/292-4276.

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CIBA's Views on Invasive Plants Sought at World Forum

Over a year ago, when the problem of “noxious exotic species” first became a national public policy issue, we became concerned about the emphasis placed on herbicides as a solution to the control of non-native “invasive” plants. Resource Protection Program staff began researching the issue in order to develop an appropriate policy response to the many programs and projects being developed to combat the spread of exotic species (see Newsletter #30). As a result of our involvement and the alternative views we have developed regarding the ecology and management of exotic plants, Resource Policy Analyst Vivian Parker was invited by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) to attend a Global Invasive Species conference in Cape Town, South Africa this past September. Vivian presented a paper at a “Human Dimensions” workshop in which she advanced our view that attempts to control the spread of non-native, weedy species will be futile without also addressing the underlying ecological and human factors that lead to invasive species establishment and spread.

Our review of the scientific literature has found that exotic species usually only become problem species in ecosystems disturbed by human activities or in which natural processes have been altered or disrupted. Very often, these are ecosystems where native plant seed banks have been depleted and from which seed sources have been eradicated. Managers often turn to herbicides as an expedient means to eliminate exotic plants. However, unless the ecosystem and its native vegetation component is restored to a “healthy” condition, exotic plants—either the original target species or others—will return. In addition, researchers have shown that some weedy plants develop resistance to herbicides. Thus, use of herbicides alone can lead to a treadmill of reliance on chemical control measures, as it has in agriculture.

At the national level, we recently participated in a public policy forum called the Invasive Species Council, a task force composed of mostly federal government agencies, convened in Washington, DC. The initial charge of the council is to prepare a National Invasive Species Management Plan. Besides participating on a subcommittee during formulation of the scope of the plan, we submitted comments on the draft plan in November. Once again, we recommended an emphasis on restoration of degraded habitats, as well as protection of relatively undisturbed habitats that are currently uninvaded by non-native species, limitations on the use of chemical pesticides, and restoration of historic fire regimes.

CIBA believes that the use of fire, as practiced by California’s Native inhabitants, is essential to maintaining and restoring the state’s rich diversity of species. CIBA members know that species diversity is enriched when people take an active role in managing land with care and respect. We know that humans and biodiversity are intertwined and not separate. The issue of invasive plant control is presenting yet another opportunity for us to educate policy and decision makers about the need to view resource management problems more holistically, applying Native ecological knowledge to solutions wherever possible. For further information about our work on this issue contact Vivian Parker, Resource Policy Analyst, at 530/622-8718; email: vparker@innercite.com.

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CIBA in England/ Scotland

With funding from the Ford Foundation, in August, 2000 CIBA sent three delegates to the international conference of the Society of Ecological Restoration, held in Liverpool, England. Kathy Wallace (Karuk/Yurok/member of the Hoopa Tribe), L. Frank Manriquez (Tongva/Ajachemem), and Jacquelyn Ross (Coast Miwok/Pomo) combined diverse weaving and environmental restoration backgrounds to document the evolution of CIBA and the collaborative strengths of basketweavers in California.

With an exhibit of baskets, plant materials, and books, our delegates spoke about CIBA’s work and participated in an exchange workshop with English master weaver Molly Rathbone and her students, who make traditional baskets of traditional materials such as willow and lime, as well as modern baskets from paper industry by-products. The baskets were quite beautiful and several were astonishing. A number of serious issues arose, issues which seem to have echoes in other communities that CIBA has visited throughout the world.

Most of the English weavers that CIBA met are not able to grow their own materials, nor are gathering places readily accessible. Several weavers must buy their willow from a commercial interest in Somerset, England, but it is expensive, costing about $105 for a big armload of willow sticks. English weavers are concerned that the commercial willow farm uses chemicals in its operation, and were quite interested in CIBA’s extensive work in the area of pesticides. Weavers are loosely organized but desire a tighter network.

CIBA’s delegates discussed traditional weaving in California and highlights of cultural and environmental habitat in our state. They then taught beargrass braiding, how to make dogbane cordage, and shared some native food and songs. As a result of this workshop, at least three scientists, working in England, Germany, and Italy, are hoping to visit us in the United States.
Outside Liverpool, our delegates visited the studio of weaver Ms. Alexandra James. Later that night, they began a four day stay at the home of weaver and teacher, Ms. Lise Bech, in Muirkirk, Scotland, who arranged a gathering of about 14 Scottish weavers.
The Scottish Basketweavers Association (SBA) is strong and well-organized. There is a feeling of pride and value in weaving. Sitting at the kitchen table with baskets and books, topics of importance to Scottish weavers were discussed. They are particularly concerned about pesticide use and land/plant access.

This trip helped open doors in England, Scotland, and beyond. Behind the doors stand concerned scientists, artists, and activists working at restoring the health of their homelands and traditions. They work tremendously hard, sometimes in isolation and with formidable opposition. We now have a connection with many of them and hope that we have, in some way, built bridges over which all of our good works can be exchanged more easily.

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Mark Your Calendars for the 2001 CIBA Gathering

Public Day, Saturday, June 23, Chaw'se Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park"