| Born in the 1920's as a member of the Jefferson and
Lane families of Lummi Nation, I was one of ten children born into the Lummi
Indian tribe located in Bellingham, Washington. I have 2 children, 5
grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. I grew up on the reservation but
then left after marrying my husband we journeyed cross-country to live in
New York City where I spent many years working for the City of New York.
I began beading necklaces back in 1957 and developed a technique of my own.
Fortunately, the culture that I had grown up with made the journey with me,
and it is present in all that I create, whether it is beadwork, a cedar basket,
or pottery. I accumulated over 700 pieces of jewelry during the 50-year period
that I lived away from the reservation. The beads are bone, crystal, silver,
and glass.
Prior to my journey back home to Lummi Nation in 1997, I began making
cedar baskets. The styles reflect the northwest tribes and I try to make
each one different than the next. I was able to learn from other Lummi tribal
members that had been creating baskets for many years and perfected the art.
My art education is not learned from textbooks but comes from within my own
vision of what a piece must look like. If the finished piece is not as I
had envisioned it, then I take it apart and begin again until the vision
and the piece are one in the same.
I am retired and my permanent residence is at Lummi Reservation, my
home. As an elder, I can be found here making baskets, beading, and enjoying
my childhood friends, new friends, my children, and all of the family members.
"Hyschqe" |
