Celebrating Kateri Masten

Kateri Masten is a member of the Yurok Tribe. She is a traditional basket weaver and a recipient of First People Fund’s  2021 Community Spirit Award, which honors and celebrates exceptional Native artists and culture bearers.

“I have been weaving since I was a child,” says Masten. “My skill of basket weaving continues to challenge and nurture my spirit.”

Basketry is an honorable craft, says Masten, especially in making baskets for infants. “Baby Baskets are used from infant to toddler years, [and] it’s one of the safest places for the baby to sleep,” says Masten. “Knowing that parents choose and entrust me to create these safe baskets for their newborn is truly the greatest honor."

Masten also collaborates with the Native Women’s Collective, a nonprofit organization that supports the continued growth of Native American arts and culture. “I have started to work on a project that will bring our community together,” says Masten. “[It will] honor missing and murdered Indigenous women and empower future generations.” Masten will lead online tutorials, storytelling panels, and workshops to make traditional women’s dance dresses.

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Learn more about Kateri Masten on the Native Women’s Collective website.