Smith Family
Mrs. Hyman (Ada) Smith stripping bark from a log (1933).
During his visit to Walpole Island in July of 1933, Volney Jones spent several days interviewing and observing members of the Hyman Smith family. Mrs. Hyman (Ada) Smith (born Aquash, 1875) demonstrated the process of making basswood twine and a rush mat with the help of her older sister, Mrs. George (Sarah) Shogonosh.
Learn more about how the Smith family created basswood twine.
Learn more about how Mrs. Ada Smith and Mrs. Sarah Shogonosh weaved the rush mat.
Jones also observed Mrs. Smith’s daughter, Mrs. Myra (or Myria) Greenbird (born in 1911), making an unusual type of open-weave basket (see images below). Mrs. Smith told him that the style of weave was first learned by her mother from Ottawa basket makers. Mrs. Greenbird was the only resident of Walpole Island weaving these type of baskets at the time of Jones’ visit.
Explore the items from the Smith family
- Click on the page links below to learn more about how the items were made.
- Click on the images to see information about the item.
