Among Indigenous groups, basket weavers have always been held in high regard, said John Haugen of the Nlaka’pamux Nation from B.C.’s Fraser Canyon. Canada recognized Nlaka’pamux basket making for its national historic significance this month with a ceremony at Lytton, about 265 kilometres northeast of Vancouver. “Historic designations reflect Canada’s rich and varied history and I encourage all Canadians to learn more about Nlaka’pamux basket making and its important contributions to Canada’s heritage,” said Jati Sidhu, Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon MP, on behalf of Catherine McKenna, the minister responsible for Parks Canada. “They say if you are making a basket you should never be in a bad mood,” she said. You should be of good mind because the basket you are making will pick up on your own sense of well being.” Turner said students soon learned her courses in basket making were not as easy as imagined.

Source: thestar September 15, 2018 14:48 UTC