Gladys McKinney

Gladys McKinney  

Gladys McKinney portrait
Gladys McKinney portrait. Image courtesy of G. McKinney.

A member of the Dunlap Band of Mono Tribe, Gladys McKinney comes from a long line of master basket weavers and is a founding member of the California Indian Basketweavers Association. In addition to materials for basketry, she is gathers many kinds of native plants for other traditional uses—such as foods, cordage, structures and tools. Gladys is a cultural demonstrator and teacher, fostering the transmission of her cultural customs across generations. She is engaged in traditional gathering consultation with the U.S. Forest Service.

As an elder and traditional foods keeper, Gladys will share at the symposium: native berry tastings including sourberries, manzanita berries, gooseberries, and elderberries; as well as black walnut and pinyon nuts—essential foods that complemented traditional diets.