Dat-So-La-Lee, Washoe Basket Weaver and Premier Tahoe Artisan
Posted on December 28, 2011
Filed Under Cultural Heritage
Was Dat-so-la-lee the first Tahoe artisan?
Actually, she was Tahoe’s Greatest artisan.
Undeniably.
For many, she set the stage for Tahoe-Truckee’s burgeoning art scene.
Dat-so-la-lee was a Washoe Native American born in Sheridan, Nevada in 1835.
Her birth name was “Dabuda”, meaning “Young Willow” which proved to be very prophetic. She used the willow in her basket weaving which made her famous. It is estimated that she created over 300 baskets in her lifetime, and many of these were at Lake Tahoe.
She died at the age of 90 and is now buried at the Stewart Indian School in Carson City, NV.
A fine collection of Dat-so-la-lee’s work and other Washoe basket weavers is on display at the Marion Steinbach Indian Museum located inside the Gatekeeper’s Museum in Tahoe City, next to Fanny Bridge. The Museum Store sells fine basketry separate from the museum’s collection.
Hours of Operation:
May 1 – September 30: Wed – Sun 110am to 5pm, closed Tuesdays
Admission:
$5 general
$4 seniors (55 and over)
Museum members and Children 12 and under are free.
Click here for the basket catalog including baskets from Tahoe’s most well known basket weaver, Dat-so-la-lee.
