by David Flint
Jennifer Lee explained the construction of her Mohican bark baskets at the Stephentown Historical Society on October 3. Lee, an Algonkian Indian descendant,a re-enactor and culture presenter, portrayed an Algonkian woman of the 1750s. In a most interesting presentation on Mohican dress, culture and trade, she explained that bark was to eastern Native Americans what the buffalo was to the plains Indians. It was used for everything including wigwams, long houses, canoes, covers for food storage pits and all sorts of baskets and cooking utensils.
Lee makes her baskets from birch, elm, ash and white pine bark. The bark is sewn with spruce root and rimmed with arrowwood. She is also available for all sorts of Algonkian craft demonstrations and cultural presentations. He work can be seen at barkbasketsbyjlee.com.
