Oklahoma Native American Basketweavers

Wahleah Walker   

Cherokee Nation and Choctaw Nation

Wahleah is a member of the Cherokee and Choctaw tribes. She is part Muscogee (Creek).

Without a formal art education, Wahleah has a interest in art that includes tole painting, water color, and oil.

She weaves contemporary and traditional baskets.
She is a member of the Cherokee Heritage Center, Tulsa Cherokee Community Organization, a Cherokee Language Class, The BasketWeavers Guild of Oklahoma, and Oklahoma Native American Basketweavers.

Although she does not have a preference for weaving material, she has strong feelings about materials the Native Americans use. She said "I believe I would feel a cultural connection if I used traditional "gathered" material. I think we can use commercial and weave baskets that represent our culture. It would slow the process of teaching and learning basketry if we did not use commercial material."
"I think the interest in basketry is because it is so basic and fundamental. To preserve and extend the basketry skill is to honor that skill. Weaving has given me an appreciation of the ability to take material at hand and create something useful. The traditional baskets offer a visual presence today of what was accomplished in the past."

Entered by Peggy Sanders Brennan, Cherokee Baskets, April 22, 2005