A Learning Vacation Focused on Making Your Own Navajo-Style Basket
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Navajo ceremonial baskets reflect the rich traditions of the Diné (Navajo) culture. Every aspect of a basket, including color and design, conveys meaning about something in the artist's world. The same legends and origin stories that are woven into the daily life of the Navajo people are often represented in their baskets.

Under the guidance of Lorraine and Sally Black, two of the most recognized and innovative Navajo basket weavers alive today, we learn the step-by-step process of making Navajo-style baskets. As Lorraine and Sally share the significance of the ceremonial basket in Navajo tradition, we work together on Navajo-style wedding baskets or baskets with more contemporary pictorial designs. The workshop also features a visit to the Black traditional home in spectacular Monument Valley and meetings with traders who share with us their extensive basket collections.

Scholars: Lorraine and Sally Black

Lorraine and Sally Black, daughters of legendary basket weaver Mary Holiday Black, were born and raised on the eastern edge of Monument Valley. They grew up weaving baskets and have now transcended traditional designs with new patterns and colors. They are recognized for their outstanding pictorial baskets and are recipients of awards from American Indian art shows, including the prestigious Santa Fe Indian Market and the internationally known Gallup Ceremonial.

Educational Focus

The significance of ceremonial baskets in Navajo tradition and how they reflect aspects of Navajo cosmology

The influence of landscape in the Navajo world, particularly in Navajo art

The continuity of traditional crafts in the midst of cultural and economic change

Trip Dates and Cost

Dates: Sunday, July 12–Saturday, July 18, 2009

Tuition: Donor* $1,695; Nondonor: $1,820

Deposit: $400

Balance due: May 12, 2009

Daily Trip Itinerary

Sunday, July 12: Cortez, Colorado

Arrive in Cortez by 4 p.m. and transfer to the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center's beautiful campus. After settling into our hogan-style cabins, we meet for an introductory dinner and overview of the week's activities. Overnight at the Crow Canyon campus. (D)

Monday, July 13: Finding and Processing Sumac

We take a short nature walk on campus to see the sumac plant growing in its natural habitat. Then, using sumac already gathered last fall by Lorraine and Sally, we begin to process the stalks in preparation for making baskets. The evening is free to relax on the porch and watch the reflection of the sunset on the La Plata Mountains. Overnight at the Crow Canyon campus. (B, L, D)

Tuesday, July 14: Dyeing Sumac • Weaving • Trading Post Visit

This morning we learn how to dye our sumac stalks, and then we begin the process of weaving our own baskets under the watchful eyes of our instructors. After dinner, we visit a trading post in Cortez to study its collection of traditional and contemporary Navajo baskets. Overnight at the Crow Canyon campus. (B, L, D)

Wednesday, July 15: Weaving • Sharing Stories • Anasazi Heritage Center

As we continue weaving our baskets, Sally and Lorraine share stories of their life on the Navajo Reservation and the challenges of maintaining cultural traditions in today's world. After lunch, we drive to the Anasazi Heritage Center, a superb museum and artifact repository, to examine ancient baskets and textiles. The evening is free to continue weaving or perhaps attend an archaeological lecture on campus. Overnight at the Crow Canyon campus. (B, L, D)

Thursday, July 16: Yucca Demonstration • La Plata Mountains • Weaving • Lecture

A Crow Canyon educator demonstrates how to make yucca twine and creates a sandal in the ancestral Pueblo (Anasazi) tradition. In the afternoon, we enjoy a field trip to the majestic La Plata Mountains and stroll through carpets of wildflowers before settling in a peaceful spot to continue our weaving. This evening, a Crow Canyon research archaeologist joins us to discuss the iconography of ancient basketry and pottery. Overnight at the Crow Canyon campus. (B, L, D)

Friday, July 17: Twin Rocks Trading Post • Black Family Hogan • Weaving

We are on the road today, first to Twin Rocks Trading Post in the historic pioneer town of Bluff, Utah. We meet with owners Barry and Steve Simpson, who have worked closely with local Navajo artists to develop new and unusual designs in basketry, rugs, and jewelry. Then, in Monument Valley, Arizona, we are guests of Lorraine and Sally's mother, Mary Holiday Black, who has been awarded the National Fellowship Award from the National Endowment for the Arts for her efforts in the preservation and renaissance of Navajo basketry. Inspired by the spectacular panoramic views of Monument Valley, we continue to work on our baskets. After a traditional meal with the Black family, we return to Crow Canyon for our farewell dinner. Overnight at the Crow Canyon campus. (B, L, D)

Saturday, July 18: Departures from Cortez

Departures can be scheduled anytime after breakfast. (B)

B = breakfast; L = lunch; D = dinner

Tour Details

General Itinerary: Begins and ends in Cortez, Colorado, with local field trips. The program is based at the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center's beautiful campus. Plan to arrive in Cortez by 5 p.m., July 12. Schedule departure from Cortez anytime after breakfast on July 18.

Tuition: Tuition is per person and is based on shared accommodations. Tuition includes accommodations, meals listed, entry fees and permits, most gratuities, and transportation from arrival in Cortez on July 12, 2009, until departure from Cortez on July 18, 2009. Transportation to and from Cortez is your responsibility.

Accommodations: Shared accommodations are provided at the Crow Canyon campus. Our 170-acre campus provides space for relaxing, watching wildlife, walking through the pinyon and juniper woods, and enjoying panoramic mountain views from the rocking chairs on the lodge deck. Accommodations are in comfortable, Navajo-style log cabins (hogans). Private rooms are not available and, depending on enrollment, couples might not be housed together. Shared, modern shower and toilet facilities are located in a separate building adjacent to the hogans. Three delicious meals are served each day.

What to Expect: This is a hands-on workshop in traditional Navajo split-willow basket weaving. Participants learn each step in the process of making their own Navajo-style wedding or pictorial design basket.

 

 

The Crow Canyon Archaeological Center's programs and admission practices are open to applicants of any race, color, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, or sexual orientation.

Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California
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