Threads of Tradition: Celebrating 25 Years of the Great Basin Native Basketweavers Association
The general public is invited to a day of demonstrations, talks and performances related to the traditions of Native American basket weaving. Shop at vendor booths featuring unique Indigenous art, baskets, jewelry and specialty items.
This FREE community event celebrates Indigenous heritage and basket weaving traditions of the Great Basin. Coffee available for purchase by Star Village Coffee.
MEET ARTIST JUDITH LOWRY | FLOOR 1
11 am – noon
2 – 3 pm
Book signing in the Theater Lobby
DEMONSTRATIONS & DISPLAYS | FLOOR 1
10 am – 4 pm
Joey Allen (Northern Paiute)
Tule Duck Decoys
Norma Darrough (Western Shoshone)
Water Jug Demonstration and Display
Roger Ike (Western Shoshone, Te-Moak Tribe)
Western Shoshone Cradleboard
Janice Mendez and Emily Mendez (Paiute)
Dogbane Cordage
Gayleen Roy (Northern Paiute)
Basket Display
Gloria L. Johnnie-Robles (Western Shoshone, Te-Moak Tribe Elko Band | Mexican)
Allen Mike (Western Shoshone, Duckwater Tribe)
Thread Making
Sue Coleman (Washo)
Washoe Basket Display
Lois E. Whitney (Western Shoshone)
Grindstone Demonstration
PERFORMANCES/PRESENTATIONS | FLOOR 1
THEATER:
10:30 am | Opening Ceremony:
Blessing
Remarks by Norma Darrough, Great Basin Native Basketweavers
Remarks by Ann Wolfe, Nevada Museum of Art
Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Pow-Wow Club with Truckee Paiute Singers
11:15 am | Melanie Smokey (Western Shoshone)
Talk: Basketmaking, Plants and the Environment
12:15 pm | Jay Martin (Western Shoshone and Washoe)
Talk: Seasonal Materials and Thread
1:30 pm | Film Screenings:
Woven Connections: Plants, Environment, and Native American Basketry
Directed by Jeremiah Sampson (Northern Paiute), Whiterok Pictures
Resilience – Voices of Basketweaving in the Great Basin produced by the @One, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Reno
2:30 pm | Herman Fillmore (Wa·šiw)
Talk: Washoe People and Cultural Practices within their Homelands
3:15 pm | Rhiana Jones (Akimel O’Odham/ Wa·šiw Washoe Environmental Protection Department)
Talk: Cultural Fire Traditions and Contemporary Practice
VENDOR FAIR | FLOOR 4
10 am – 4 pm
Ben Aleck (Pyramid Lake Paiute)
Original artwork, works on paper, prints
Heidi Barlese (Northern Paiute)
Beadwork, scarves, beads and supplies
Leah Brady (Western Shoshone, Te-Moak Tribe)
Traditional and Contemporary Baskets and Nature Crafts
Loretta Burden (Northern Paiute/Fallon Shoshone)
Contemporary Baskets
Norma Darrough (Western Shoshone) and Jillian Fillmore (Western Shoshone)
Miniature Baskets
Ramona Darrough (Northern Paiute)
Linda Eben Jones (Northern Paiute)
Beadwork and crafts
Karma Henry (Owens Valley Paiute)
Original artwork
Avanna Lawson (Walker River Paiute)
Original artwork and prints
Jean LaMarr (Northern Paiute| Pit River)
Original artwork and prints
Bhie-Cie Zahn-Nahtzu (Western Shoshone-Washoe)
Handmade skincare and jewelry
Jay Martin (Western Shoshone | Washoe)
Melanie Smokey (Western Shoshone | Washoe)
Sagebrush and medicinal toiletries
Melissa Melero Moose (Northern Paiute)
Original Artwork
Steve Nighthawk (Reno-Sparks Indian Colony)
Original artwork
Jacqueline Rickard (Walker River Paiute)
Baskets and Beaded Baskets
Raelyne Thomas (Pyramid Lake Paiute)
Beadwork
Mervin Wright Jr. (Northern Paiute)
Teresa Wright (Yurok)
Jewelry and original artwork
ON VIEW: EXHIBITIONS | FLOOR 2
10 am – 6 pm
The Art of Judith Lowry
Of the Earth: Native American Baskets and Pueblo Pottery
Threads of Tradition: Celebrating 25 Years of the Great Basin Native Basketweavers is a gathering organized by GBNBA and presented at the Nevada Museum of Art.
Lead Sponsor: Henry Luce Foundation
*If you are a GBNBA Member and a registered member of the Tribal Community and would like to register for workshops on April 25, 2026, learn more about Threads of Tradition: Tribal Member Day here.
