Revisiting Kelly Church (Ottawa/ Pottawatomi)

Today, we revisit our interview with 2018 National Heritage Fellow and black ash basket maker Kelly Church. An Anishinaabe belonging to the Gun Lake Potawami Band, Church combines the centuries-old tradition of ash tree harvesting and processing, creating ribbons of ash she then weaves into stunningly original and colorful baskets. Tied to her artistry is a deep commitment to keep this tradition not just alive but vital. She’s taken on a task that’s become more difficult and urgent since the ash tree is being destroyed by an invasive species: the emerald ash borer. In this podcast, Kelly Church takes us on the journey of taking a living tree and recreating it as a basket, the significance of the black ash tree for the North East people, and the steps she’s taking to keep this traditional art intact for the next generations.

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