The Mohawk Made website was created by a group of Mohawk Women who enjoy the art and preserve the skills of the Native American tradition of basket weaving. Many years have passed with parents and grandparents carrying on this unique tradition of basket weaving. As these generations have past on, the sweet grass and ash splint baskets, used for utilitarian, ceremonial and decorative, continue to be an important part of Mohawk culture.
The ladies of Mohawk Made have over sixty combined year of experience in basket making and continue to grow their tightly weaved friendship together. Each one of them have a story to tell on how they began their journey for the love of basket making and weaving their creations. They are Sheila Ransom, Debbie Cook-Jacobs and Nanci Ransom. They continue weaving through generations of culture and friendship.
The ladies of Mohawk Made would like to pass on their knowledge of basket making to the next seven generations.
Nanci Ransom, Bear Clan, enjoys making baskets out of black ash splint and sweet grass. She began traditional basket making with her friends and mentors, Sheila Ransom and Debbie Cook-Jacobs. She's hoping to carry on the tradition to her grandchildren. She grew up on the Akwesasne Mohawk Reservation, in the village of St. Regis, Quebec.
Sheila Kanieson Ransom, Wolf Clan of the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation has been making black ash and sweet grass baskets for more than 20 years. Sheila learned fancy basket making from her Godmother Mae Bigtree, a renowned basket maker. She also learned to make utility baskets from Henry Arquette, a master basket maker. An antique mold inspired Sheila to make a sewing basket that won first place at the 2005 Indian Village of the New York State Fair.
I am a Mohawk basket maker from Akwesasne, bear clan. I make utility and fancy baskets from black ash splint and sweetgrass. I also enjoy collecting old baskets for inspiration and duplicating the old style weaves.