Grace Hudson Museum

Precious Cargo - CA Indian Cradle Basket and Childbirth raditions

California Indian Cradle Baskets.

This is the first major exhibition to present cradle baskets in their cultural context through direct collaboration with contemporary California Indian weavers. It examines traditional beliefs and practices concerning childbirth and the use of cradle baskets, both now and then, among Pomo and Western Mono peoples, with additional material from 28 other tribal regions throughout the state. As part of the project developed by the Marin Museum of the American Indian, 30 California Indian weavers, including local Yokayo Pomo basketmaker Christine Hamilton, were commissioned to create cradle baskets characteristic of their region for inclusion in the exhibition.

Family, Northwest California, ca. 1900.
Photographer unknown, courtesy Peter Palmquist.

The exhibition documents what cradle baskets mean to contemporary California Indian peoples, reflecting their unique view of the world and understanding of the meaning of the objects on display. “It provides an opportunity for mainstream audiences to learn what makes California Indian people special and what they share with the world at large,” said Shirley Schaufel, Executive Director of the Marin Museum of the American Indian.

Susie McGowan with daughter, Sadie
(Mono Lake Paiute), Yosemite Valley, ca. 1901.
Photographer J.T. Boysen,
courtesy The Yosemite Museum,
Yosemite National Park, No, 18895.

Clara McCaw and daughter, Rose (Pomo), ca. 1919.
Photographer unknown, courtesy
Lake County Historical Society.

“Precious Cargo” also includes a 25-minute documentary video featuring Christine Hamilton and other California Indian weavers and elders. Directed by PBS award-winning filmmaker Terry Straus, the film is narrated by veteran actor and arts activist Peter Coyote. In addition to the video, “Precious Cargo” contains rare historic photographs, a wide array of artifacts, several Grace Hudson paintings, an exhibition catalogue with images by local photographer Tom Liden, and teachers’ curriculum.

A special opening reception will be held on Sunday, Feb. 6th, featuring a slide lecture by exhibit curator Brian Bibby at 2:00, highlighting Pomo Indian baby baskets and childbirth traditions. An exhibit catalogue booksigning will follow, by author Brian Bibby and photographer Tom Liden. Both events are free to the public.

The “Precious Cargo: California Indian Cradle Baskets and Childbirth Traditions” exhibition tour was organized by the California Exhibition Resources Alliance (CERA) in concert with the Marin Museum of the American Indian. CERA is a network of professionally operated museums and cultural organizations that collaborate to create and tour smaller, affordable, high quality exhibitions that enhance civic engagement and human understanding. CERA is supported by generous grants from The James Irvine Foundation, The William Randolph Hearst Foundation and the California Council for the Humanities.

Indian Child. Painting by Grace Hudson.

“Precious Cargo” was funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities, California Council for the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, the Fund for Folk Culture, Cultural Exhibition Resources Alliance, the L. J. Skaggs and Mary C. Skaggs Foundation, and the Marin Community Foundation.

Download educational materials relating to the current exhibit on the new GHM Education Program page.

Slide Lecture: 2:00, by Exhibit Curator Brian Bibby. Reception and exhibit catalogue booksigning by catalogue author, Bibby, and photographer, Tom Liden. Free.