'Golfing the traditional way:' Akwesasne basket makers weave golf caddy

A basket-making couple from Akwesasne have been married for 32 years and continue to push each other creatively with the art form.

Curtis and Delia Terrance both come from long lines of Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) basket makers. Their latest creation is a fully woven golf caddy that caught the attention of many at the annual Art Market and Juried Show on July 6 in Akwesasne, on the Ontario, Quebec and New York state borders.

"I like a challenge," said Curtis, a retired ironworker.

The baskets are made from black ash logs that are pounded and split into thin strips. The splints are then soaked in water to make them easier to bend during weaving. Different styles of baskets are used for utility as well as for ceremonies. 

The couple makes both utility and fancy baskets, which are more ornate. Over the years they've used their techniques in basketry to create decorations around the holidays like Christmas angels and Easter eggs, as well as weaving unique shapes like airplanes, hats, and even Peanuts characters Snoopy and Charlie Brown.

The golf caddy, titled Golfing the Traditional Way took Curtis about a month to make. He said it's something he's always wanted to try to do.

The piece was made for the Akwesasne Art Market and Juried Show, which took place July 6. It received a first place ribbon in its category of utility baskets, and then was sold to the Blue Mountain Lake museum in New York state.

Delia also received a second place ribbon at the show for her fancy basket titled Hide & Seek.

Akwesasne is renowned for its basket makers. Both Curtis and Delia's families have made baskets for generations.

"My grandmother made baskets," said Curtis.

"When I was little, I watched her, but I didn't really pick it up until after I got married."

The couple said they work collaboratively on baskets, share ideas, and encourage each other during difficult moments. 

"Sometimes his ideas are a little better than mine," Delia laughed.

"Sometimes you run into a lot of problems making a basket and are ready to give up and you say, no, no, you got to keep going."

For Delia, it's important to keep the art form alive, and they have taught their two sons basketry. 

"It's just like our language. You got to keep it going," she said.

"You can't let it die and it is dying because with the basket industry and our black ash trees are getting fewer and fewer."

Black ash trees are under threat in the region as a result of the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle that is killing ash trees across North America.

"But it's very important to keep tradition going, and part of our Mohawk tradition is baskets," said Delia.

"We need the younger generation to try to get interested in basket making and to see that it's an art form."