For Sandra Peterson, birch bark baskets are a connection to her Native American heritage. They represent the old ways, when these containers served a multitude of purposes and uses. “Baskets were a very big part of the Indian way,” Sandra says. “They were used not only in everyday life but they also played a big part in ceremonies, whether that was when someone died or in celebrations of tribal life.”

Sandra has been making birch bark baskets for close to 20 years. She learned this intricate art from Jerry Maulson, a Lac du Flambeau native who was taught by his grandmother. “Jerry taught me how to make these baskets the traditional way,” says Sandra. “The birch bark baskets I make are exactly like the ones our ancestors made for thousands of years.”

An ardent craftswoman, Sandra attributes her love for not only making baskets, but beading as well, to her grandmother, Josephine Poupart. “She was a very special woman,” says Sandra. “She knew a lot about the traditional ways and taught me when I was a child. I get my love of crafting from her.”

But it’s the baskets that draw Sandra, and her husband David, back to their roots, when Native Americans searched for the birch bark material that played such a big part in their way of life. This material was instrumental for all Woodland Indians as they not only constructed baskets from it but their canoes and even homes as well. Preserving the art of making things from nature is very important to Sandra and David because it is a connection with all the native ancestors. It is when they are in the woods gathering materials for their baskets that they are most aware of this. “When you go into the woods to harvest the bark, you are reminded of those that went before you to gather this material,” says Sandra. “It makes you think about and appreciate how these people had to live and survive.”

It is in the early spring months of April and May when birch bark is prime for harvesting. “That’s when it is the most pliable and comes off the trees easiest,” says Sandra. “If you harvest it any other time of the year, it won’t work. You need to get the bark in big enough pieces because the baskets are made from one entire piece. Also, this is the time of year when you can harvest the bark without killing the trees.”

David plays a big role in the bark harvesting. In fact, Sandra rarely has the time to get in the woods anymore. Not only is she busy with her family and artwork, but she’s also the billing clerk secretary at Lac du Flambeau’s Water and Sewer facility. “David is really an expert when it comes to harvesting the bark,” Sandra says. “In fact, he can even make the baskets now.”

In addition to the bark, the couple must also gather basswood fiber called wiigoob. This is used to sew the sides of the baskets together. The bark and wiigoob don’t come out of the forest ready for use. They must be conditioned for a number of weeks before they are ready. “We’ve developed some ‘secrets’ in keeping the bark pliable and the wiigoob ready all year long,” says Sandra. “Otherwise, you would really be limited when you could make baskets.”

While all traditional baskets are one of a kind, there are definite steps a basket maker must take to get a finished product. One of those steps is creating a template or pattern before the birch bark is cut for the basket. “By doing this, you don’t waste the bark,” says David. “And once you’ve been out in the woods gathering birch bark, you don’t want to waste any of it.”

However, Sandra stamps her own individuality in each basket she creates. For instance, she was taught by Tom Maulson that the authentic way of making a birch bark basket is with the white side of the bark inside the basket. “I think the way a basket is constructed depends on how that basket will be used,” she says. “For instance, a basket that is used for gathering berries is not going to have the rough white bark on the inside. That’s a case where the smooth brown side would be the interior of the basket.”

Sandra’s baskets come in a variety of shapes and forms. She makes winnowing baskets used for wild rice harvest, “tobacco” baskets used for tribal ceremonies, tourist baskets that she sells at several outlets throughout the reservation and long, tall baskets like those that were used for storage of staples like grains and skins. Each one is a piece of art and her creations are always in demand. “I can’t keep up sometimes with the demand for my baskets,” she says. “I’ve even been commissioned to make some.”

Perhaps this is because basket making is so time-consuming. From the gathering of materials to the finished product can take upwards of 17 hours. “If you have all the materials in front of you, it takes maybe an hour or two to make a small basket,” she says. “It’s the prep work that takes all the time.”

Recently, Sandra received some grant money to expand her art. She hopes someday she can retire and not only make baskets full-time but create beautiful beaded artwork as well. “That’s the goal I am striving for,” she says. “When I see how my baskets can make someone happy, I feel really good. It really gives me a sense of satisfaction to be able to share that part of my heritage with someone.”

Sandra’s baskets and bead work are at the George W. Brown Museum and Cultural Center as well as in the Woodland Indian Art Center in Lac du Flambeau. The phone number for the museum is (715) 588-3333 and for the art center is (715) 588-3700.