Barbara D. Francis, Penobscot basket on glass vase

My name is Barbara D. Francis. I am a Master Basket maker from the Penobscot Nation, located outside of Old Town, Maine. The Penobscot reservation on Indian Island, is one of the oldest Indian communities found in Maine

My memories of baskets started when I was a young girl. Most of the elders were craftsmen and the basket makers were the largest of the group. You could hear the men as they pounded sticks of Brown Ash, loosening the growth rings so they could be peeled off the stick. These growth rings were then split and gauged into the various widths, such as standards, weavers, pointers and so on. Some of the darker wood (heart stock) was then dyed into different colors for markers to adorn the baskets. It was important to use as much as possible, since not every Brown Ash tree is basket worthy.

I learned the basics of basket making from two elder women but, I would not use the skill until years later when I moved back to Maine and worked with my grandmother. My history reflects a long line of basket makers. I come by this tradition as the next generation. My work has won awards in Native American art competitions and is currently exhibited in museums and galleries.
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