8th annual market,
demonstration set
for Saturday, Aug. 27

NEW GLOUCESTER — The Maine Native American Summer Market and Demonstration is known as the blending of two of Maine’s most unique and continuing traditions — that of the Maine Shakers and Maine’s four Native American tribes. 

On Saturday, Aug. 27,  40 traditional artists representing the most renowned Penobscot, Maliseet, Micmac and Passamaquoddy artisans will make their journey to the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village for the largest and most southernmost gathering in the State of Maine.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This year’s event honors and remembers Clara Neptune Keezer, who died earlier this month just a day short of her 86th birthday.  She was a founding member of the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance in 1993 aimed to save ancient ash and sweet grass basketry traditions among the Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot tribes of Maine.

She also served as a mentor to young tribal apprentices who learned firsthand from their elders and now form a new generation of makers with expert skills and offerings.

In 2002, Clara Neptune Keezer was honored for her unique ways to preserve native basketmaking artistry when she was honored by the federal government as a National Heritage Fellow, marking a highest form of honor and achievement in recognition of her unique talent.

She was born on the Passamaquoddy tribal land of Pleasant Point in Perry.  The Neptune family was known for basketmaking and leading the tribe for more than 200 years of uninterrupted leadership prior to her birth.

She perfected making various fruits and vegetables from basket weaving materials, along with fancy baskets from brown ash and sweetgrass that included the strawberry, blueberry, corn and even a bumblebee.

Members of her family will attend the market, her brother artist Peter Neptune, Butch Jacobs, Debbie Nicholas and Linda Dana, her apprentice.

Michael Graham, director of the Shaker Museum and Library said, “Clara’s style reflected absolutely exact weaving with vibrant colors and highly, highly decorative.  She was capable of folksy work; her fruit and bumble bees … influence many modern day basket makers.”

“Some of Clara’s work will be here to be sold, “ said Graham.  “This is the cycle of life, the new that arrives to the traditions while we sadly say goodbye to the elders.”

Clara Keezer’s work is preserved in institutional collections including the Hudson Museum, the Abbe Museum and the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance and the best of private collections, says Graham.  “She was an accessible and affordable artist.”

The craft market this year will give a rare opportunity to the public to purchase museum quality crafts directly from Maine’s finest Wabanaki artists. 

The event will include not only baskets, but also beadwork and stone carving and performances of drumming, singing, dancing and storytelling by the Burnurwurbskek Singers and dancers from the Penobscot Nation and Micmac spiritual leader David Sanipass.  

A large flower-top basket made by Molly Neptune Parker, also a National Heritage Fellow, will be raffled to benefit the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance.

A barbecue dinner plate will be for sale to the public while supplies last.

Participating artists include: Pam and Jacob Cunningham, Peter Neptune, Dolly Barnes, Barry and Lori Dana, Linda Dana, Gal Frey and Stuart Tomah, butch and Kelly Jacobs and Molly Neptune Parker David Sanipass, James Neptune, Caron Shay, Richard Silliboy, Fred Tomah, Frances Soctomah, Wendy Hamilton, Michael Silliiboy, Debbie Parsons, Joe and Tammy Loring, George Neptune, Tim Shay, Faye Decontie, Jason and Donna Brown and more.

Passamaquoddy elder Mary Creighton in traditional regalia dancing to the Burnurwurbskek Singers from the Penobscot Nation.