Rae Skenandore Strawberry Basket

Rae Skenandore Strawberry Basket

Rae Minoka Skenandore (Yehsani>saks)

Rae is an enrolled member of the Oneida Nation in Wisconsin.  She is a latecomer to the art of basketry, having only discovered her skills & passion for basket making in 2017.  Rae’s baskets are done in both traditional and contemporary styles and made with both traditional and contemporary materials.  After taking her first basket class through the Oneida Arts program, Rae joined the Oneida Basket Guild, Twatashe> nutslu=nihe> (All of Us Make Baskets) and later the Wolf River Basket Guild.  Rae has diligently worked to broaden her knowledge and understanding of the techniques & styles used by all weavers.  She is using her ever expanding knowledge of basketry to contribute to the development of her own artistic style and expressing that through her baskets.

“Through our art, we have the opportunity to preserve, protect, and promote our culture.  Being Oneida, I have a natural affinity for Woodland Indian Art.  But, I enjoy incorporating a variety of techniques & materials.  I’ve been honored to learn from a variety of master basket makers working with Black Ash, Sweet Grass, Willow, Cedar, Pine Needles, and Birch”.

In addition to the hands on learning, Rae spends a great deal of time researching historical and contemporary woodland and Iroquois baskets and often combines traditional techniques and styles with modern, readily available materials. Rae entered her first piece into competition in 2019 and has since been awarded the following:

2019 Woodland Indian Art Show and Market, Oneida WI First Place, Theme category Native Women

2019 Northern Woodland Art Show, Hayward WI First Place, Sculpture & Best of Show

2019 Cherokee Art Market, Tulsa OK Best of Division Contemporary Basketry & Innovator Award