This website is from Alaska native artist Teri Rofkar (Tlingit name; Chas' Koowu Tla'a) who is from the T'ak dein taan (Raven) Clan, from the Snail House.

She is a full time artist; she has been selling her work since 1986.  She often describes herself as a "Basket Case"... meaning she weaves all the time, and the rest of the time she is out in the forest harvesting materials.

Her Tlingit lineage links her with her Alaskan Native ancestors who have been weaving baskets and ceremonial regalia on this coast for thousands of years.  Some of the trees she visits are several hundreds of years old; she says they have known her family for many generations.  The "Tree People" have helped her in her journey as a weaver.  In the Tlingit culture they recognize that not only people, but animals, plants, objects and places all have spirits.

Her weavings are a reflection of an ancient relationship rekindled.  It is a fragile relationship, fragile only in the lack of knowledge.  There is so much to learn, and she enjoys the opportunity to put herself in the presence of those ancient spirits.  The best explanation she can give for the power held in her weaving is the energy comes from the materials themselves, the spruce roots, and mountain goat wool...not from her humble twining.

She lives in Sitka, Alaska, along the rich coastline of Southeast Alaska.  The Tlingit Indians have village sites that date back to 11,000 years ago.  Her Grama has told her they were weavers.  Her Clan specialized in weaving years ago.  Interestingly enough, many of her family and clan relatives still weave today.  Teri says it's exciting to see the next generation creating their own relationship with the land.

You can contact Teri at teri@terirofkar.com or visit her website at www.terirofkar.com.