Cradleboard Class Helps to Revive Tradition

Walking into the cradleboard making class, held at the Akwesasne Museum, the smell of wood burning and the chatter and laughter of casual conversation are in the air. Ten students were busy finishing up their cradleboards that they had just learned to make in three days, September 28,29 and 30. By the looks of the beautiful cradleboards, the instructor, Bill Loran, with the help of Bill Billings, did an awesome job instructing each student.

Bill Loran is an Akwesasne artist who is known for his beadwork, as well as rattle, fan, moccasin and cradleboard making. "I started beading at the age of seven", recalled Mr. Loran, who is now 77 years old. "I was dancing at the time and I wanted an outfit but couldn't find anyone to do the beading. I was told to go to Kahnawake to find someone but I couldn't afford that, so I learned to do my own beadwork. Someone asked me to make a cradleboard and so I did. It's a lot easier then beadwork", chuckled Mr. Loran. "I learned how to make different things from many different places and people and have been teaching for a long time, seventy years".

According to Mr. Loran cradleboards have changed a little bit in size since he started making them. "I now make cradleboards an inch longer than normal. Babies are bigger these days, I use to make them around 18 inches long, now I make them 19 inches. I guess it's all the good food".

Cradleboards were traditionally used to provide the child with physical protection when the family was traveling. It could be carried in the mother's hands or worn on the back to free her hands. Also, during daily camp life, while the mother was working, she could keep the baby in her sight by leaning the cradleboard against a tree. It was also used as a bed at night. The wrapping and binding of the baby in the cradleboard provided security for the baby as well as helping with posture.

Many of the ladies were surprised at how much they enjoyed working with wood. "The sanding of the wood was actually relaxing", commented Sodie Horne. "The wood felt so buttery smooth after the sanding and I found that that I like working with wood".

The Akwesasne Museum receives funding from the New York Council on the Arts (NYSCA) for a traditional arts program. The goal is to provide classes to the community to keep traditional art skills alive for present and future generations. Some of the other classes normally taught are basket, rattle and fan making, raised beadwork and moccasins. "I send out surveys each year into the community and I pick out the top ten results", explained Akwesasne Museum Manager, Sue Herne. Class sizes are limited to 12 people, on a first sign up first serve basis. Upcoming classes are aired on CKON and printed in the Indian Time newspaper or calling Ms. Herne at 518-358-2240.

Cradleboard making is an important tradition to preserve. A tradition that is used to protect our most precious cargo...our babies.