ONABA MISSION
The Oklahoma Native American Basketweavers Association preserves, promotes and perpetuates traditional basketry and culture of Native American tribes through educational programs in Oklahoma
• Tulsa Library Youth Basketweaving Workshop - March 15
• OK Folklife Festival - 3rd or 4th wk of June
• Sand Springs Youth Group Weaving Classes - Spring and Other School Breaks
• Rivercane Workshop - Robin Scott - Five Civilized Tribes Museum June 27-29
• Philbrook Museum, Tulsa, Youth Workshop - TBA - need coordinator
Thanks to Susanne Sanders, director of the Indian education cultural program at Sand Springs public schools for allowing us to teach basketweaving to the students. Two students at the Sand Springs public schools have shown interest in serving on the ONABA Board as Youth Advisors. If you have family or friends who would like to serve on a Youth Advisory Council, please let Wahleah know. In 2008, ONABA will offer opportunities to the youth as volunteer teachers to other youth, visits to museums, and more.
Volunteers of ONABA meet with students in the Sand Springs Indian Cultural Program to weave with the students and some parents during school breaks and summer. Three Muscogee Creek students entered a basket into the 2007 Red Earth show. Courtney Hess won 2nd place and Dakota Wolf won 2nd place. Several of the students want to enter their baskets into additional competitions. Wahleah Walker with help from her daughters, Debbie and Denise, coordinated and taught the classes. Peggy and Carol attended the school awards program to honor the students, and to give them a certificate of achievement in basketry. At this assembly, the students proudly displayed their baskets. Everyone is welcome to attend this program.
Send additions and corrections to Peggy. The newsletter is published online every quarter and is continuously updated. Members receive a copy at least once a year with their membership renewal request and/or annual meeting notification. Click here to read the current and older Renewing Traditions.(www.onab.org)
Past newsletters are available by requesting copies from Peggy
ONABA now has 46 members and proudly welcomes eight new members who joined in 2007. New Members List (www.onab.org/ONABMEMBERS.htm)
ONAB Members and Leaders.(www.onab.org/ONABMEMBERS.htm)
ONABA will add new advisors each year. Make your nominations to the board or at the annual meeting.
ONABA welcomes Kelley Lunsford, Chickasaw, as a board member for 2008.
Thanks to the out going officers from 2006-2007: Debra Smith, president; Karen Scott, vice-president; Peggy Brennan, secretary/treasurer. The two year accomplishments of their leadership were through team work with ONABA members.
2007 End of the Year Report (www.onab.org/endofyearreport2007.htm)
Archived Documents (www.groups/yahoo.com/group/ONABAboard.htm)
Marcia Balleweg opened her business, OK Basket Supply, several times for ONABA business. Thanks, Marcia for a wonderful place to meet.
To the many volunteers at the OK Folklife Festival. Debra Smith and Karen Scott set up our exhibit at the OK History Center. They set up three large tables and attractively displayed our baskets.
To our members, particularly B. L. Smith, who promoted ONABA at their activities, thanks.
Wahleah Walker and her daughters for keeping the youth's activities going with additional financial support from Deb Butterfield.
Each member received a renewal membership form. If you wish to teach, demonstrate, or help in other ways with ONABA activities, please complete the survey questions on the form so we can call you when we need volunteers.
ONABA secretary will send you a membership card. Personalized cards may be ordered, prepaid, and printed through Vista Print. Contact Peggy, for pricing details and give any of the following information: Name, Business, Address, Phone, Email, Web Site (you can use ONABA's email and web site), tribal membership, other information. She will send you an example for approval before having it printed and shipped to you.
ONABA will provide members with ONABA cards without membership information to give at exhibits to promote ONABA.
The officers, board and council members want you to succeed. Let us know how we can help you.
We have 25 current voting members. Of those members, 21 have voted for the following slate of officers and new board member.
Peggy Brennan, board president
Robin McBride Scott, board vice president
Wahleah Walker - treasurer
Debra Smith - secretary
Karen Scott - communications/information officers
Kelley Lunsford - board member
Prepared by Peggy Brennan for ONABA and submitted to ONABA Board and Advisory Council Members before the annual meeting on February 2, 2008. Corrections and additions are greatly appreciated. Please submit changes in writing to ONABA - PO Box 7234, Edmond, OK 73083-7234 or Email (info@onab.org).
January 31, 2008