Diverse Sample Portraits
Julia Parker, b. 1929, has demonstrated basket weaving to visitors in Yosemite Valley's Miwok Indian Village/Museum since 1960 and today is acknowledged possibly as California's best maker of baskets. She has been featured in books, films, museum exhibits and a solo gallery exhibit and has had baskets placed in collections around the world including Queen Elizabeth II of England. She is one of the few people living today who was taught by the great basket weavers of the Yosemite Indian Field Days (weavers largely born in the mid 19th century, learned in a traditional manner and pushed the art to its extreme refined states). Julia says: " The old people taught us take from the earth, give back to the earth, and never forget to say please and thank you." She has worked to protect the native plants from invasive species and development.