Oklahoma Native American Basketweavers

DeLavon Scott Lyford             Muscogee (Creek) Nation

DeLavon's Photos

DeLavon is an accomplished Muscogee Creek weaver of all basket styles.  Recently retired from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, she has more time for teaching and weaving.  She began weaving at age 10 and is an award winning artist. In both 2005 and 2006 her baskets received a merit award of $500. 

She teaches basketry including the coiled pine needle basket.  She is an active member of the Oklahoma Native American Basketweavers.  She is also a member of the Basketweavers Guild of Oklahoma.

BASKET TECHNIQUES USED:

Wicker Plaited

Plaited Twill

Coiled pine needle and sweet grass

Weaving on gourds and agates

Twining

MATERIALS IN WEAVING:

Ash

Palm Rattan

Sweet grass

Pine Needles

Honeysuckle

Buckbrush

DESIGNS:

Turtle

Arrow

Diagonal

Stripe

Zig Zag

OTHER ART:

Gourd Art

Wood Burning

EXHIBITS

RED EARTH INDIAN FESTIVAL, WORD PATH SOCIETY,  THE AMERICAN INDIAN CULTURAL SOCIETY, TRIBES GALLERY, MULTI-ARTS GALLERY, GALLERY OF THE PLAINS INDIAN. 

RECENT AWARDS:

MISSOURI GOURD FESTIVAL:

First Place Ribbons for three years.

RED EARTH INDIAN FESTIVAL:

2005 first place winner for "Basket with turtle design made with Ash"

DeLavon gives thanks to Jackie Carlson, Norton Shores, Michigan, for teaching her this complex basket design.  Jackie Carlson created the turtle design for this plaited twill basket.

PERSONAL AWARDS, ACHIEVEMENTS, AND HONORS:
DeLavon writes:  "My main personal award is the joy of teaching the art of pine needle basketry to Native American students and others. I have studied with over 45 instructors in several states to obtain a working knowledge of several styles of basketry."

DeLavon became a regular participant in a sweat lodge thirty years ago and continued to be interested in using the plants of sweet grass and sage in her spiritual journey that includes basket weaving and teaching.  She believes a good basket is beautiful, fragrant, balanced and durable.  De writes that weaving is important to the Native culture because " Like our language, it will be forgotten if not continued."

Believing that language is very important to her heritage and the culture of her tribe, she has taken two courses in Muscogee language.

FAMILY LINEAGE:

Father:  Taylor B. Scott, Creek

Emza Delavan, Iowa

Clan:  Wind

© Page edited and submitted by Peggy Sanders Brennan, July 1, 2005

Page may be printed with permission of the artist, DeLavon