North Country At Work

Woman demonstrates a basket making technique. Akwesasne. Photo from the Akwesasne Cultural Center Museum archives.

Louise Jacobs Mitchell making a basket with a box of baskets in front of her, Frank Thomas stands to her right. Behind her is the church rectory and a man hoeing in the garden. Kanatakon/St. Regis Village, NY. 1930. Photo from the Akwesasne Cultural Center Museum archives.

Mary Tebo “Wenniseriiosta” braiding sweetgrass. Akwesasne. Circa 1996. Photo from the Akwesasne Cultural Center Museum archives.

Reen Cook, longtime radio host and community celebrity, on the air at CKON, a community radio station based in Akwesasne. 2013. Photo taken by David Sommerstein.

Carrie Hill is a modern basket maker and the owner of Chill Baskets. She works out of a home studio and has work in museums and collections around the world. Making baskets from sweetgrass and black ash splint is a tradition that goes back generations in her family, but Carrie learned as an adult, from her […]

Carrie Hill is a modern basket maker and the owner of Chill Baskets. She works out of a home studio and has work in museums and collections around the world. She says it has been rewarding beyond measure, and describes her personal style as ‘colorful, balanced, and very Carrie.’ Photo taken October 2019. Hogansburg, NY. Photo by […]

Theresa Bear Fox is an Akwesasne-based singer and songwriter. She spoke about singing in both Mohawk and English, and how her songs allow her to personally connect with her listeners. The photo is of Fox performing at the Native American Music Awards. Photo courtesy of Theresa Bear Fox.

Katsitsionni Fox is a documentary filmmaker from Akwesasne. Katsitsionni described how openness makes for a good documentary filmmaker, and her favorite moments on a shoot. Director Katsitsionni Fox holds a microphone while interviewing Pete Jemison. Photo courtesy of Katsitsionni Fox.

Director Katsitsionni Fox holds a microphone while interviewing Pete Jemison. Katsitsionni is a documentary filmmaker from Akwesasne. One of Katsitsionni’s most recent films was focused on her daughter and friends, and what growing up is like for Mohawk youth. She spoke about the advantages of being close to your subjects as a filmmaker. Photo courtesy […]

Iakonikonriiosta married an ironworker and moved to Akwesasne. Her husband traveled to work every week, so she was only able to see him on the weekends.