Basket Item Number: Nd669 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Rectangular basket with slat coils and beading on three sides. Imbricated on four sides with vertical stripes of alternating brown and rust (orange) coloured bark. Wool tumpline with zigzag pattern of pink, green and red attached to a braided (hemp) strap which is held on to the basket by cotton thread sewn into it. The strap comes from the underside of basket and each side meets in centre. Upper edge is wrapped.

History Of Use

Carrying basket used for transporting and storing materials. It was carried on the back with a head or breast strap. They were used to carry a wide variety of goods and materials, such as water, stones, firewood, roots, fruits, seeds, textile materials, fish and game. Women and girls both made and used these baskets. Family wealth was partially correlated to the number and quality of these baskets. The designs on the baskets are said to relate to aspects of Interior Salish cosmology.

Cultural Context

transportation

Narrative

This Lillooet style basket was given to Prof. Borden by Christina Charles who came from Squamish and lived at Musqueam. It was collected between 1940 and 1978. It was exhibited in the "Hands of Our Ancestors" exhibition at MOA in 1986.