Public Invited to Learn New Skills at Indian Basketweavers' Gathering at Morongo This Weekend

The following was submitted for publication on behalf of The Morongo Band of Mission Indians:


The Morongo Band of Mission Indians is pleased to announce that it will be hosting the 24th Annual California Indian Basket weavers Association (CIBA) gathering on June 27 - 29 at the Morongo Community Center on Malki Road.

On Saturday, June 28, the gathering will be open to the public for a day of basket weaving classes taught by master weavers who are experts in a variety of California Indian regional basket types. The public event will include a special showcase display of traditional baskets created by CIBA members during the previous year.

“Morongo is honored to be hosting this year’s CIBA gathering and to be supporting efforts to not only preserve traditional basket weaving techniques but to pass these important cultural practices on to future generations,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin. “California Indian basket weaving links us to our past and to those who have gone before, and the unique beauty of each basket tells its own story.”

The CIBA Gathering was created in 1991 by a handful of weavers who feared that California Indian basketry traditions and practices were threatened with extinction. At the time, the basket weavers were few in numbers and several were the only remaining weavers from their tribal region.

Today, CIBA has more than 900 members who study and teach traditional California Indian basketry techniques. CIBA’s goal is to preserve, promote, and perpetuate traditional basket weaving by California Indians, who are considered to be the best basket weavers in the world.

Today, CIBA has more than 900 members who study and teach traditional California Indian basketry techniques. CIBA’s goal is to preserve, promote, and perpetuate traditional basket weaving by California Indians, who are considered to be the best basket weavers in the world.

At the Gathering, weavers demonstrate and sell their work, share techniques and stories and explore regional basketry weaving styles. The event is also intended to help raise awareness among Native Americans, the public, the arts community and educators about the beauty and significance of California Indian basket weaving.

"Basket weaving is more than an art from; it is the very essence of who we are as California Indians,”said Clint McKay, chairman of CIBA. “We would like to thank the Morongo Band of Mission Indians for graciously hosting our annual gathering and for their support in helping CIBA continue its work to preserve this most important of cultural traditions.”