Black Ash Basket Workshop

Learn the traditional art of black ash basketry. Using the knowledge passed down through the generations, Joshua and Sarah Homminga of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, harvest and process all the materials used in their basketry. They will share their knowledge while guiding attendees as they make their own baskets to take home. 

Seating is limited and registration is required. The $75 registration fee includes all supplies and may be paid online or at the workshop. Please note this workshop is 7 hours. Please bring a sack lunch.

This workshop is in cooperation with the St. Ignace Public Library and the St. Ignace Area Creative Arts Council, and funding from the Michigan Arts & Culture Council.

Josh Homminga is a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, located in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. He was born on August 2, 1978. He grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, MI and lived there until 2012, then moved to Bay Mills Indian Community with his wife, Sarah. Josh worked for Sault Tribe, within their Cultural Division, for most of his adult life and in 2015, he decided to pursue basketry full-time. Black ash basketry has always been part of his life growing up. Josh's great, great-grandmother, Jane Williams, passed this art down to her children and it continued down to his great-aunt, Bernadette Azevedo. Bernadette is the one who taught Josh basketry. He made his first basket in 2007, in which he harvested and processed all the materials. His aunt and uncle, Bernadette and Roger, shared their knowledge by hosting basket workshops. They were concerned that this art would die out within their family. Her words were, “anyone can make a basket, but would they also be able to harvest and process a log to make the supplies to make the basket”. Josh took her words to heart and decided he would continue on this art and teach our future generations. He taught my wife, Sarah and together they have hosted many workshops and demonstrations. They are teaching our children so the art of black ash basketry stays alive within their family.