By Antonia Driscoll – Contributor

During the week of March 25, Bishop’s welcomed Stephen Jerome for two days of basket weaving workshops and a day of demonstration. Hailing from Gesgapegiag, Jerome is an ancestral Black Ash basketmaker and the owner of the shop ASHOLE. During the week, Jerome shared his knowledge and his craft with the community of both Bishop’s and the Université de Sherbrooke. 

Black Ash basket making requires a considerable amount of dedication, patience and practice. Jerome has mastered picking the perfect tree from the forest and works straight from the log, hand cutting, bending, and weaving the pieces to make extremely strong and beautiful baskets; he stood on a basket to show its strength. Passed on through generations, Jerome contributes to preserving this tradition of Mi’kmaw culture. 

Some of the attendees of the workshops were interviewed to reflect on this unique experience. 

Q: How does this artistry signify Mi’kmaw traditions and culture?

Shawna Chatterton-Jerome, coordinator of Indigenous students support services at Bishop’s and niece of Stephen Jerome:

[Black Ash basket making] has been in my family for generations and is still very much present in my community of Gesgapegiag. It is very meditative for me, and I want to make sure the tradition is still practiced throughout my generation and the next to come! So, it makes me happy to have my uncle come to BU and show and teach how beautiful this tradition of ours is!

Q: How is this workshop an important addition to Bishop’s?

Simon Daley (Kitigan Zibi First Nation), sociology student at Bishop’s: 

As university students, we do not make much. We work with theories, ideas and concepts. This is one of the few [chances] we get to make something, not only a physical item that takes hours to make but something that calls back to tradition. We made baskets so strong someone could, and did, stand on it. We got to see how strong our work is. I hope this continues, for others to work on it.

Lois Dana (Penobscot Nation citizen), student life counsellor – Indigenous and intercultural at Champlain College:

We need to rethink what learning is. As Indigenous Peoples, we have lost a lot of traditional knowledge and ancestral language knowledge. It is an important task for universities and colleges to remedy this loss by hosting traditional knowledge keepers, creators, artists and language teachers. We can hold and elevate both Western knowledge and Indigenous knowledge. This will help increase and encourage cross-cultural sharing. Our campus may often feel like budgets are tight, but making room for activities like basket making and moose hide tanning helps to support Indigenous artists – this is an excellent opportunity for everyone involved. We are truly thankful.

Welcoming Indigenous voices and perspectives into academic spaces like Bishop’s creates opportunities for meaningful dialogue, mutual learning and the sharing of knowledge. It allows students, faculty and staff opportunities gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories, and perspectives directly from those who belong to these communities. 

I, myself, was able to be a part of this moving workshop. It allowed me to feel more connected to my abilities, and to create something with my hands and heart. The intricate technique and the earthy, sweet smell of the Black Ash wood still lingers when I observe the basket I made.