The California Indian Basketweavers Association will hold its 19th annual statewide Basketweavers Gathering in Hoopa on Saturday, June 27, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Tish Tang Campground on the Trinity River, 17 miles north of Willow Creek along Highway 96. Hosted by the Hoopa Valley Tribe, the theme of this year’s Gathering is ya xo qut te mi£ a’ de’ na’ ni£ heh, which translates from the Hupa language to say, “We with roots will get back to ourselves.”

Saturday’s events are open to the public, and feature basketweaving and acorn cooking demonstrations, a basket exhibition, traditional singing, panel discussions, and a raffle of dozens of baskets, beadwork, and other works of art donated by CIBA members. Basketweavers from all over the state, including many from northwestern California, will display and sell baskets.

The statewide Gathering has been an annual event since 1991, bringing together California Indian basketweavers from all over the state. Friday, June 26 is dedicated to CIBA members and their guests, who participate in workshops and enter baskets into the annual CIBA Showcase, a non-juried exhibition featuring baskets woven from traditional materials within the past year. The Showcase reveals the vibrant, living character of current California Indian weaving designed to inspire new basketmakers and honor the weavers, their traditions, and their art form.

Admission is free and parking is available on the premises. All events will be held in the campground, so attire appropriate for camping and hiking is advised.

CIBA is a statewide, intertribal non-profit organization with over 1,300 members. Formed in 1992 to preserve, promote, and perpetuate California Indian basketweaving traditions, CIBA works with public land agencies, museums, arts and environmental organizations to address California Indian basketweavers’ concerns. CIBA’s Basketweaver Support Program sponsors weaving classes in tribal communities to ensure that these traditions are passed on through the generations. CIBA is an important advocate for traditional weavers and gatherers, working to promote traditional fire management, protect native plant habitat, decrease pesticide use in gathering areas, and increase access to public and private lands.

For more information, please visit our website at www.ciba.org or contact Jennifer Kalt at (707) 839-1980.