Oklahoma Native American Basketweavers

Denise Hoff                  

Cherokee Nation

Choctaw Nation

Denise is Cherokee, Choctaw and Creek through maternal great grand parents.

She is a member of the Tulsa Cherokee Community Organization and a Cherokee Language Class. She volunteers for many activities of the TCCO and enjoys their social and cultural events. She is a member of the BasketWeavers Guild of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Native American Basketweavers.

She attended a Cherokee Cultural Camp and had the opportunity to learn to weave a Cherokee basket. This was just the beginning for this award winning artist. Her interest has grown to include weaving contemporary and traditional tribal baskets.

Her awards include a blue ribbon for first place in the Tulsa County Fair of 2004. The first place basket was a pine needle basket. She won third place for a traditional Cherokee basket.

Denise gathers her own honeysuckle and plans to begin weaving with honeysuckle, buckbrush and sweetgrass. She is eager to improve her basketry skills and learn new methods.

It is important to Denise to keep the traditions alive to pass on to her daughter and grandchildren.  Denise said "The Cherokee Nation offers many opportunities for learning Cherokee history and culture. It is the commitment to keep the traditions and culture alive that promotes pride in the Cherokee people."

Entered by Peggy Sanders Brennan, April 18, 2005