The spruce root is natural. The spruce root is dye, brown, green, and red. The grass is dye, red, green, and yellow.

The spruce root is natural. The spruce root is dye, black, green, purple, and red. The grass is dye, red, tan, and yellow.

The bear grass is natural.

Bruce Subiyay Miller (10-14-00): Description of Twana Twined Basket: The Loops: The ears on the rim were originally used to lash a soft cover on the basket to keep the contents secure and intact. The braided finish proper: This symbolized order and completion or closure. It is a finishing of the project so that there are no loose ends that allow the basket to unravel. It symbolizes an orderly completion. The rim design: Wolves and Helldivers - The wolves gave the Twana man the life model that Puget Salish Society was based upon. They taught man loyalty to his people, the necessity of an orderly hierarchy, the importance of honor and family and that only the strong survive. The Helldivers, commonly known as the Western Grebe symbolize swiftness and watchfulness. Their power to escape the enemy was the result of paying attention and watching for signs of danger. The Box in a Box: A series of rectangles within each other symbolizes accumulated wealth as well as knowledge. The Wool Dog: Standing on top of the box design is the wool dog a symbol of material wealth. This dog is the main emblem of the Skokomish Tribe. Crows Dishes: Triangular shapes bordering the ends of the box design represent limpet shells split so that one half is on each side of the box design. During pre-human times when animals were people these were crows feast dishes. Puppy Pens: The diamonds in the center of the box designs represent puppy pens where the wool dogs were raised. The puppy in the design is like the Hell Diver except the puppies face to the left and the Hell Diver faces to the right. The Man Design: The man is surrounded by symbols that represent his culture. He is secure in the knowledge of his true identity; it gives him strength and a foundation for personal security. This has been his identity from the beginning of time.

The bear grass is natural, dye, and purple.

The bear grass is natural. The bear grass is dye and purple.

Late 1800s

Late 1800s

The grass is dye and purple. The paint is green, blue, and black.