Interested in Southeastern Indian basketry?

Our registrar, Tommie Rodgers, will be speaking at a symposium on basketry in Natchez in November. This looks like an excellent program, with something for the collector, the weaver, the museum professional, and anyone with an interest:

2009 Southeastern Indian Basketry Symposium

Co-sponsored by the National Park Service, Northwestern Louisiana State University,

and the Mississippi Department of Archives & History

Except where noted, all sessions to be held at the

Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, 400 Jefferson Davis Blvd., Natchez, MS 39120;

601-446-6502/jbarnett@mdah.state.ms.us

PROGRAM

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Grand Village of the Natchez Indians (GVNI)

5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Informal reception with food and refreshments, display of baskets borrowed from local owners.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13

GVNI (coffee, bottled water, snacks provided)

9:00 a.m. Welcome and introductions – Jim Barnett, Mississippi Department of Archives & History

9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Informal panel discussion on marketing:

Janice Sago, Sales Shop Manager, GVNI

Kimble Marshall, Ph.D., Professor of Marketing, Alcorn State University

Deborah Cowart, Unit Manager, Eastern National Retail Outlet, Natchez National Historical Park

10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Break; informal discussions among weavers

11:00 – 11:45 a.m. Informal discussion on split-cane baskets:

Dustin Fuqua, Cane River Creole National Historical Park

Hiram F. “Pete” Gregory, Northwestern State University (LA)

11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch (catered on-site)

1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Informal group discussion on cane propagation research:

Rachel Jolley, Ph.D., Mississippi State University

Dr. Jolley wants to hear from weavers about desirable cane attributes.

2:00 – 2:30 p.m. Break; informal discussions among weavers

2:30 – 3:00 p.m. Tour of the Grand Village (Jim Barnett)

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Informal discussions among weavers

4:00 – 6:30 p.m. Dinner on own (numerous restaurants available)

6:30 p.m. Basket Conservation Workshop (public invited to bring baskets)

Cindy Gardner, Director of Collections, Museum of Mississippi History, Mississippi Department of Archives and History

Tommie Rodgers, Registrar, Lauren Rogers Museum of Art

* Open to the public (free admission) – location will be GVNI or the Natchez Visitor Reception Center auditorium.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14 “Basket Day” Open to the public (free admission)

GVNI (in case of rain, to be held at the Natchez Visitor Reception Center)

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Demonstrations and sales by basket weavers

Linda Farve, Mississippi Band of Choctaw will sell fry bread and Indian tacos; soft drinks and bottled water will be provided to participants and visitors.