The tradition of basket making has been central to the identity of the Wabanaki tribes of Maine for many generations. Since the arrival of European settlers, basket makers, along with other crafts-makers and artists, have been traveling to popular tourist sites along the Maine coastline to sell their works.

In traditional Native American society, great emphasis is placed on elders as teachers of art and culture. The aesthetic knowledge and skills of elders, along with the ability and willingness of youth to become students, are considered the indigenous artistic community’s greatest assets. For the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance (MIBA), an organization focused on preserving and extending the art of basket making within Maine’s Native American community, maintaining this tradition is fundamental.

When MIBA was founded in 1993, there were 60 artists out of 6,000 total members in the four Wabanaki tribes (Penobscot, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy, and Micmac). The average age of the basket makers was 63. The demographic challenge facing the community was based on not just the relatively small number of artists but that the group was failing to attract a newer generation of artists to insure the survival of its traditions. Additionally, the unique weaving techniques used in traditional basket making, along with tribal languages—including words and stories specific to basketry—are in danger of being lost. And, in recent years the organization has found itself in the surprising role of environmental preservationist, as the community has seen access to raw materials significantly threatened.

One of MIBA’s core activities is the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship program, which partners approximately a dozen younger artists with Master Basketmakers annually. MIBA’s other programs include co-sponsoring three annual markets which provide marketing opportunities for younger artists. They also organize workshops where hundreds of community members can gather for 1-2 days to participate in teaching activities that include other forms of traditional arts. In combination, MIBA’s programs have helped increase the number of basket makers: in 2007, there were over 200 artists whose average age was 43.

Using the Documentation Fund offered by ARTOGRAPHY, MIBA embarked on an in-depth collaborative project with the Hudson Museum at the University of Maine. MIBA and the Hudson Museum created video profiles of basket makers discussing their personal stories and artistic practices. The video pieces offer insight into the challenges that this community of artists face in a changing world. Yet, the picture that emerges through this collection is that of a resilient community deeply anchored in a strong creative tradition. Click on the image at left to go to the videos.