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June 6 and 7, 2026
Obtaining the raw splint for basket making is something that takes time, patience and a whole lot of energy. Not everyone who wishes to weave with this beautiful, native material has access to the forest or the trees or the knowledge of the process itself. Sometimes, it’s just nice to have someone show the way and give some pointers.
During the morning sessions and weather permitting, participants will venture into the woods with April to identify and search out suitable Black Ash trees for harvest. Students will learn about what goes into choosing the right tree and together we will harvest and return with several black ash trees from the folk school grounds.
During all sessions, participants will have access to 2 log pounding stations and the tools needed to pound the logs for material acquisition. Techniques for splint splitting (to make thinner) and splint scraping (to remove surface fibers) will also be shared by the instructor. The instructor will have resources to share in the form of books, baskets, stories, language and culture. Materials pounded from the logs will be used for future Avon Hills Folk School basket weaving courses.
Strength and stamina are needed for this course as we take turns pounding as needed. This truly is a “one more ring” course so come prepared for the weather and a great workout.
This is a unique opportunity to see the work that happens before the basket weaving course and to help the Avon Hills Folk School process its ash trees before the emerald ash borer destroys them.
Tuition: $35 for a half day, $70 for a full day
If you choose to register for a full day, lunch will be included.
Sign Up Options
Saturday Morning: June 6th at 9am - 12:30pm
Saturday Afternoon: June 6th at 1:30pm - 5pm
Saturday Full Day: June 6th at 9am - 5pm
Sunday Morning: June 7th at 9am - 12:30pm
Sunday Afternoon: June 7th at 1:30pm - 5pm
Sunday Full Day: June 7th at 9am - 5pm
On Saturday evening, we will offer a unique Folk School on Tap opportunity that will include wood fired pizza! Attendees will learn about Ojibwe culture through the art of black ash basketry from April Ogimaakwe Stone. We will also hear from August Kramer from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources about the advance of the emerald ash borer across the midwest, which threatens to wipe out black ash trees, and learn about some of the hopeful developments in EAB resistant strains of black ash. Registration is required and coming soon.
Your Instructor
APRIL OGIMAAKWE STONE
(she/her)
April Ogimaakwe Stone, an Ojibwe Black Ash basket maker from the Bad River reservation in northern WI, has been working with black ash since 1998. She spent one year studying a basket in use before attempting to weave her first basket in the spring of 1999 and ended up falling in love with all things connected to this craft including live harvest and log processing of raw material into usable splint for weaving. Since 2000, she has researched and traveled extensively, sharing her skills with young and old.
April harvests all of her raw materials for her own basket making and for various programming from the ceded territory swamps and forests of northern WI. and processes all of this material by hand. She has received much recognition for her working knowledge of Black Ash basketry, while being thought of as a patient and gentle educator.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.