Our Gift Shop
The Akwesasne Cultural Center includes a museum shop that specializes in Mohawk black ash and sweetgrass basketry. We also carry other items that are Native-made, and publications that are Native-authored.
One of our newest items is the DVD ‘Carriers of Culture - Akwesasne Mohawk Basketry Traditions’. This DVD was produced by the Akwesasne Cultural Center and Moccasin Path Productions. Director, RJ Joseph (Cree) seamlessly merges footage of the 2006 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, archival photos from the cultural center, and an interview with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Sheree Bonaparte. Call 518-358-2461 or e-mail sue@akwesasneculturalcenter.org to order. The cost is $20. plus shipping.
Many thanks go out to one of our 2006 interns, Lauren Mapp, who helped us to pull together our shop renovations.
For those of you in cyber-space who would like to order from us, we are not ready for on-line sales, but you can contact us by phone or e-mail to order. Due to the handmade nature of many of our items, the availability and price may vary. We have a few photos here of baskets that can be ordered and received in a reasonable amount of time, a number of them are in stock if you order right away.
4 1/2″ basket by Florence Benedict, $42.00
3″ scissor holders by Florence Benedict, $8.50
2 1/2″ strawberry by Denise Jock, $42.00
A Mohawk basket begins its journey as seedlings that become trees, and seeds that become blades of grass. Ash logs and sweetgrass are harvested by men and women who turn them into basketmaking materials in processes that involve an understanding of the environment and our culture. Basketry is used in traditional ways, and has also been part of our economy for generations.
call 518-358-2461
or e-mail sue@akwesasneculturalcenter.org to order
