Pam outdusis “Little Pathway” Cunningham

I am a Penobscot Indian Master Basket Maker and fiber artist, of the turtle clan.

My mother, ssipsis, was a full-blooded Penobscot (a federally recognized Tribe), turtle clan and my father was Irish and Scottish.

I was raised on Oak Hill, Indian Island, Maine, USA. The same hill my mom was born on. It was there that I was given my Penobscot name outdusis (Little Pathway). Looking for a short cut to my friend’s home, I spent all morning walking back and forth, through the woods, making a little pathway.

I love every aspect, every step of my basket making. I relish the fact that, in most ways, I am following in the footsteps of my ancestors. Many of the oldest and simplest traditions continue, from splitting, scraping and gauging the fiber from the Brown ash tree, into weavers, standards, and point or curls to hand weaving each basket, to picking the sweetgrass blade by blade and then braiding it into interlocking continuous braids, for weaving into my baskets. Traditional and contemporary baskets, berry baskets, collector baskets, and originals like the sweetgrass flats and my special dream baskets, like the Honor Basket.

I spend my time making baskets within walking distance of the river that surrounds Indian Island, Maine. There is a strong connection between the Penobscot River and my people, Wabanaki, who use the brown ash and sweetgrass that grow along the riverbanks in honor of this relationship.

These baskets symbolize my desire to keep these traditions and culture alive.

I offer you traditionally hand made baskets. These unique baskets and signed and dated.

Thank you for your interest in Maine Indian Basketry.

Wooliwoni  ~ Thank you