mi’kmaq > Basketry
Nora Richard
Nora Richard is a member of the Mi’kmaq band from Lennox Island. Her passion is basket weaving. She loves to create her own original designs and loves mending old Mi’kmaq baskets. She teaches workshops for those who want to learn the art of basket weaving.
After leaving a stressful job in 2008, Nora was unsure of her next direction in life until a friend suggested there was a job opportunity at The Basket Weavers shop in Richmond PEI, Nora couldn't imagine herself basket weaving but she was desperate so she decided to give it a go for a week and then look for another job. When she went for the interview there were women sitting and weaving baskets. A sense of calm washed over her. That was 16 years ago. Now Nora can't imagine her life without basket weaving. From the first basket that she made she could already envision the next basket and she couldn't wait to finish so she could start on the next basket.
Nora's biggest joy is demonstrating and teaching. There is a big interest in the craft, although it is a dying art it is starting to become increasingly popular again. Basket making is therapeutic, when she is making a basket she is focusing on what she is doing. It doesn't feel like work; it's just something she loves to do. Nora’s sisters and her use traditional indigenous art and crafts as a way to reconnect to the past and keep their culture alive for future generations. Nora harvests and uses mostly Reed but also White Ash when available. Nora also creates eight pointed stars, used to represent the eight districts of Mi'kmaq nation. The star is often made with four colors: Red, Black,white and yellow represent the four races of people as well as the four directions -north, south,east and west.
In 2011, Nora was asked to create baskets for Kate Middelton, the princess of Wales. The Princess selected three baskets: a sewing basket, a flower picking basket and a market basket to take back home with her.
Nora has taken part in juried shows put on by the Crafts Council such as Yield in 2022 and Fiona in 2023. She volunteers for the Greenfield Community School in Summerside and with the Leap program for seniors.
Today Nora does fairs and teaches workshops. She has beginners coming in for workshops. They start at 10:00 am and by 2:00pm they walk out the door with a finished basket. They can't believe they made it themselves.
Contact: nora.baskets@gmail.com
SHORT Film Series: PEICraftDocs
Nora Richard
We visit the PEI Centre For Craft to take part in a workshop led by Mi'kmaq basket maker Nora Richard
Featuring violinist Karen Graves
