I am from Sells on the Tohono O’odham Nation. The O’odham name for the village that I am from is called Komckud E-wa:’osidk, meaning Where the Turtle is Wedged. I’ve been making baskets for about 12 years and I started at the age of 20. My mentor was my hu:ul (grandmother) Margaret Acosta. She shared with the different types of designs, including: coyote tracks, man in the maze, whirlwind, and many more. Her legacy as a master basket weaver lives in me. Sadly, my grandmother passed away in 2016 and before she got sick, she would tell me “You have a gift, you use it. Don’t stop basket weaving. Keep the tradition going.” This is my reason to keep going and pass it down to the young generation.
I also had other mentors guide me too. One of them was a good friend of mine Terrol Johnson. My journey as a basket weaver started when Tohono O’odham Community Action would host basket weaving circle every Wednesday. I would go just to observe and learn. At first, I was nervous but the majority of the elders there inspired me to keep the tradition going. It is part of me and who I am today. I will continue to teach and pass down to my family and friends.
Tohono O’odham baskets are made from white or green yucca, beargrass, devils claw, and red banana yucca root. These materials that are incorporated in O’odham baskets are all natural.