Tehachapi News

Native American basketmaker to teach local course

Offering a rare opportunity to local residents, renowned Chemehuevi basketmaker Mary Louise “Weegie” Claw will be teaching a course on Native American basketry techniques in Tehachapi starting later this month.

This nearly-vanished art form has been practiced in California for several thousand years. Indian weavers have used willow and other native materials to craft useful, durable and exquisitely beautiful baskets. Weegie Claw is the granddaughter of famed Chemehuevi basketmaker Mary Lou Brown, whose prized baskets are in museums and collections.

The Tehachapi City Council has provided invaluable assistance in the form of a $5,000 instructional grant, which was approved at the June 4 council meeting. The Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Parks District is also providing support, including  making classroom space available at the West Park Activity Center.

“We’re trying to save a form of art that is important to all Americans, both native and non-native,” explained Phil Wyman as he addressed the council on Monday night.
In addition to coordinating the basketmaking classes, Wyman is allowing class participants to harvest willow at his family’s Antelope Canyon Ranch in the mountains south of town. Students will gather all their own materials during class sessions and will make their own awls for use in the basket-making process.

Weegie Claw is a Parker, Arizona resident who teaches basket making for Arizona Western Community College but is making time for teaching a Tehachapi course before returning to Parker for her regular classes.

The Chemehuevi tribe is the most closely related tribe to the local Kawaiisu people, both linguistically and culturally.

The Tehachapi class will include eight sessions over a six-week period for a total of 34 hours. Classes begin with willow-harvesting on June 23 and 24 from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuition is $240. For more information, call TVRPD program coordinator Sandy Chavez at 822-3228, ex. 113 or Phil Wyman at 823-9251.