Ash Baskets, the Pokagon Band, and Notre Dame: A Roundtable

The Pokagon Band and Notre Dame have been exchanging baskets with each other since at least 1845. But why? Come learn about one of the oldest campus traditions almost nobody has ever heard of at this Native November Roundtable hosted by the Department of American Studies in partnership with the Pokagon Band’s Center of History & Culture.

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, this roundtable brings together Elders, weavers, historians, and youth leaders from the Pokagon Band and Notre Dame to discuss the long history of black ash basketry in the St. Joseph River Valley. The panelists will draw from their personal and professional experiences with ash baskets, offering insights into how the tradition has survived and sustained our communities for more than a century. During the talk, representatives from the Native American Student Association of Notre Dame and delegates from the Pokagon Band’s Youth Council will debut a new community basket to be gifted to Notre Dame in recognition of this shared history. Native American frybread will be provided by bneshi mijem (“bird food”).

Participants:

• Zada Ballew, Moreau Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of American Studies at the University of Notre Dame

• Thomas A. Tweed, W. Harold and Martha Welch Professor Emeritus of American Studies and History at the University of Notre Dame

• Nicole Holloway, Director of the Center of History & Culture at the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi

• Christine Marie Rapp-Morseau, Weaver and Chair of Zhetthkéwnen mine Nazokmagéthêk (Traditions and Repatriations Board) at the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi

• Kevin Daugherty, Member of Zhetthkéwnen mine Nazokmagéthêk (Traditions and Repatriations Board) at the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi

University of Notre Dame Sponsors:

• Department of American Studies

• Franco Family Institute for Liberal Arts and the Public Good

• Hesburgh Libraries

• Raclin Murphy Museum of Art

• Indigenous Faculty and Staff Organization of Notre Dame

• American Indian Catholic Schools Network

• Initiative on Race and Resilience

• Native American Student Association of Notre Dame

• Native American Alumni of Notre Dame

Community Partners:

• Pokagon Band Center of History & Culture

• Zhetthkéwnen mine Nazokmagéthêk (Pokagon Band Traditions and Repatriations)

• Pokagon Band Youth Council

• Ėthë Bodwéwadmimwat (Pokagon Band Language Dept.)