Walpole Island
Smith and Shogonosh family members showing the rush mat they made (1933, Walpole Island).
In July of 1933, Volney Jones made several trips to Walpole Island, located across Lake St. Clair from Detroit in Ontario, Canada. In Anishinaabemowin (the language of the Anishinaabe), this region is called Bkejwanong and is the unceded, sovereign territory of the Walpole Island First Nation. During the early 20th century, Walpole Island was well-know for its baskets and other crafts that commonly produce for sale to tourists, especially during the annual Walpole Island Fair.
To learn more about Walpole Island families that Jones observed making basekts and mats, click on the links in the list below.
How did Volney Jones meet basket makers on Walpole Island?
When Jones arrived on Walpole Island in early July 1933, one of the first people he met with was Mrs. Archie Highfield, the wife of the Walpole Island Indian Agent. Mrs Highfield had lived on the Island since 1917. She told Jones that the best Walpole Island basket maker, Martha Meddler, had recently passed away. She gave Jones the names to several people who were also known for their basket making and weaving skills (Jones' noted these names: Mrs. William Altman, Mrs. William Nahdee, Mrs. George Shogonosh and her daughter, Mrs. Walden White, Nancy Ecorse and Mrs. Ben Ecorse, and Joe Sword and family).
Jones also met Stafford Elgin, who ran a cafe on Walpole Island and sold baskets by local basket makers. He told Jones that black ash trees were scarce on the Island and that he often ordered prepared black ash strips from Potawatomi community members living near Athens, Michigan. His mother used these strips to make her baskets.
