Weaving Nature: Louisiana’s Native American Basketry showcases the beautiful cane, pine, and palmetto baskets of Louisiana’s Native American tribes. Native American basket making is likely the oldest sustained art form in Louisiana, but few skilled artisans are left. The land inspired indigenous people’s use of materials and patterns. Today, many are seeking to revitalize the artform and keep the tradition alive to communicate tribal identity and pride. Weaving patterns using techniques passed down through generations helps modern day artisans connect with their ancestors. These baskets that were once tools to hold physical items have become storehouses of history. The exhibit includes both historic and modern examples from the Chitimacha, Houma, Coushatta, Choctaw, and Tunica-Biloxi that will be loaned by private lenders and fellow cultural institutions.