Nicey George

In this photograph by Vivienne Roberts, Cherokee basketmakers Nicey George and her daughter Lucy George Long are shown preparing materials to make baskets. They are in the process of cutting, scraping, and thinning white oak splits or splints into different widths and thicknesses for the construction of baskets to be sold through the Cherokee village markets. The thinning of these splits is done by drawing the white oak pieces between a heavy leather pad held on the knee and a sharp knife held in the hand against it. Mother, Nicey George (Mrs. Elijah Nickejack George) is at left with her daughter Lucy George Long (Mrs. Steve Long) at right. Mrs. Long's two sons play while the women work. This photograph well illustrates the family tradition of weaving baskets passed from mother to daughter among Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The back of the photograph incorrectly identifies Nicey George by the name Nancy George, or Mrs. Elijah Nickerjack George