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These notes are as written by Doris Borhauer, including the historic way “Tlingit” is written.
© Sitka Tribe of Alaska - Pictures taken by Helen Dangel

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742 (Last edited: Tuesday, 5 October 2021, 04:23 pm)
742 This partially made spruce root basket was purchased at Keller's Gift Shop in Skagway, Alaska May 1967.

743 (Last edited: Tuesday, 5 October 2021, 04:23 pm)
743 This large spruce root berry basket was made in 1908 by Mrs. Mary Miller, a Thlingit Indian woman in Juneau, Alaska. Mrs. Miller gave this basket to her daughter, Mrs. Mary Skeek, whose birth date is 9-30-83. Mrs. Mary Skeek was married in Kake, Alaska and resides there now with her son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. George Skeek (Helen). Mary Skeek gave this basket to Helen Skeek who also used it for berry picking. Purchased from Helen Skeek, Kake, and Alaska June 1967.

744 (Last edited: Tuesday, 5 October 2021, 04:23 pm)
744 This large spruce root berry basket with the four tabs was made by Mrs. Mary Miller, a Thlingit Indian woman in Juneau, Alaska in 1906. Mrs. Miller gave this basket to her daughter, Mrs. Mary Skeek. Mrs. Skeek, whose birth date is 9-30-83, was married in Kake, Alaska and resides there now with her son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. George Skeek (Helen). Purchased from Mrs. Helen Skeek, Kake, Alaska July 1967.

745 (Last edited: Tuesday, 5 October 2021, 04:23 pm)
745 This spruce root basket with open weave above & below center design and with rattle in lid was made by Mrs. Lydia Charles, Hydaburg, Alaska August 1967. Purchased September 1967.

746 (Last edited: Tuesday, 5 October 2021, 04:23 pm)
746 This small spruce root basket with rattle in lid was made by Mrs. Lydia Charles, Hydaburg, Alaska August 1967. Purchased September 1967.

747 (Last edited: Tuesday, 5 October 2021, 04:23 pm)
747 This spruce root basket woven in shape of iron kettle was made by Mrs. Lydia Charles, Hydaburg, Alaska August 1967. Purchased September 1967.

748 (Last edited: Tuesday, 5 October 2021, 04:23 pm)
748 This spruce root bowl shaped basket is called Kuh-dutsa-yate in Thlingit. The name signifies its primary use. In picking blueberries and red huckleberries, they are picked by taking the branches in one hand and holding them over the basket, knocking the berries into the basket. Berries are then put in another container and cleaned later. These baskets are often two feet in diameter. The spruce roots are dug in the spring when the sap starts running. Roots must be straight and free from defects that would make it difficult to split. Roots are heated over a fire and stripped of the covering by pulling each root through a slit in a piece of wood, loosely tied with no sharp bends to be worked on later. In ancient times, baskets were made waterproof for carrying water and boiling food, as well as for containers for general use. Baskets were woven of coarser splitting for ordinary use. This basket was made by Sally Stuteen and given to her daughter Louise at the time of her marriage to John Kawsunk about fifty-five years ago, 1912. Louise attended Chemawa School in Oregon for about seven years, then returned to Kake, Alaska to be married. John Kawsunk was drowned while fishing. Louise later married Frank Johnson who was a member of the legislature. Louise Johnson was born in Kake, Alaska 9-25-1888. Purchased from Louise Johnson October, 1967.

749 (Last edited: Tuesday, 5 October 2021, 04:23 pm)
749 This spruce berry basket was made by Mary Skeek's mother, Mrs. Anna Miller in Juneau, Alaska, 1915. Mrs. Miller gave this basket to her daughter Mrs. Mary Skeek whose birth date is 9-30-83. Mary Skeek was married in Kake, Alaska, moved to Juneau and then returned to Kake to live with her son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. George Skeek (Helen) until her death December 12, 1967 at the age of 84. Purchased February 1968 from Mrs. George (Helen) Skeek.

750 (Last edited: Tuesday, 5 October 2021, 04:23 pm)
750 This spruce root cooking pot was made by Mrs. Mary Skeek's grandmother in 1867 in Juneau, Alaska. Mrs. Mary Skeek, whose birth date is 9-30-83, was living with her son and daughter-in- law Mr. and Mrs. George Skeek (Helen) in Kake, Alaska when she passed away December 12, 1967. Seaweed was placed in this pot, then hot rocks were dropped in to cook the seaweed. After Mrs. Mary Skeek returned to Kake from Juneau she used this pot for berry picking. Purchased from Mrs. George (Helen) Skeek. Kake, Alaska February 1968.

751 (Last edited: Tuesday, 5 October 2021, 04:23 pm)
751 This small spruce root basket with rattle in lid was made by Mrs. George (Fanny) James November 1967, Angoon, Alaska. The roots for this basket were pulled and prepared for weaving in the fall of 1966. Purchased from Mrs. James March 1968.

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