Summary of Conversations relating to Weaving, Baskets, and Qayaqs

Creators and Contributors Berlin Ethnological Museum (Contributor)
Chugach Alaska Corporation (Contributor)
Chugach Heritage Foundation (Contributor)
Dawn Randazzo (Contributor)
John F.C. Johnson (Contributor)
Deborah McMullen (Contributor)
Pamela Smith (Contributor)
Brandon Moonin (Contributor)

Summary Deborah McMullen summarizes the group's private conversation about the weave on one of the baskets, explaining their thoughts and theories about the design, dye, and construction. The video captures some of the process behind information gathering on the trip, including how Elders and culture bearers discuss amongst themselves privately first, then share summaries of their discussions for more formal video documentation. John Johnson shares historic documentation about traditional time recording in the region as recorded in Eyak Legends. Johnson also speaks about some of the model qayaqs, including the bow design and potential influences from Russia. He explains that a rudder would have been positioned in the rear of the umiaq. Brandon Moonin shares the traditional Sugt'stun names for baskets and some of the name differences between cooking baskets and other kinds of baskets. Dawn Randazzo and Brandon Moonin discuss storage methods on qayaqs. Randazzo highlights a particular design that indicates a basket is from Chenega and how basket designs can help distinguish whether baskets originate from Chenega or the Copper River Delta. Randazzo describes the use of a third stitch that would not have a structural purpose but would be added to create a design in the basket. Dawn Randazzo and Deborah McMullen also discuss the process of gathering grass, binding, drying, and using leftover grass from the year before. Deborah McMullen describes the challenge of using green grass for weaving.