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in Ukiah which has a noted collection of Pomo baskets, says of
William, "Bill Benson was a totally phenomenal talent." When he met and married Mary Knight (1877–1930), he was already an expertly skilled basket maker. Mary, daughter of master basket maker Sarah Knight, was a Central Pomo speaker and also expert in basketry.
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William was a master of the Pomo traditional culture, particularly the art and literature. He excelled at every aspect of traditional culture he attempted and was especially known for his superlative work in basketry, regalia, and storytelling. Sherrie Smith-Ferri, director of the Grace Hudson Museum
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William and Mary Benson took advantage of this commercial opportunity. While Pomo men did not traditionally make the kind of fine baskets demanded by the market, William adapted his skill to the fine work done by women. He was one of the few men who did so. Mary developed her skills that grew to an
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neighbors, and when he married, Addison learned the language of his wife's people, Eastern Pomo. Because of this mixed heritage, William Benson grew up in a household in which
Eastern Pomo was the primary language, and he did not learn to speak English until later in his adult life. William also
47:, California. His mother was Gepigul, known as "Sally" to the local whites. She belonged to Kuhlanapo (Water Lily People) and Habenapo (Rock People) Pomo people and descended from a line of hereditary leaders. William's father, Addison Benson, was one of the first white settlers in the area near
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The
Bensons may have been the first California Indians who supported themselves solely by crafting and selling their baskets to collectors and museums. Beginning with the Spanish mission period on California, the Pomo, like other tribes, suffered drastic declines in population, severe cultural
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astounding level and was noted for focusing on perfection. Mary and
William enjoyed significant success in their artist careers of weaving Pomo baskets, traveled widely, and developed relationships with collectors and art dealers. The couple demonstrated their weaving skills at the
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destruction, and the loss of homeland. As such, they began working as laborers on farms and ranches that occupied their traditional lands. However, a market for genuine, traditional baskets opened the 1880s and lasted until the 1930s.
411:"Beauty of Pomo Indian Baskets Endures; Their Value Continues to Rise : Native culture: The weavers combined artistry with materials such as bird feathers and shells to create stunning works. The craft is still practiced"
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83:, California where William was an elder, band chief, and tribal historian. As a couple, they became renowned for their basket making.
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William Benson (1862–1937) was born at Shaxai, now known as
Buckingham Point, near the ancient town of Shabegok on the western shore of
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449:"Token of Appreciation: A grateful Pomo Indian's gift to a friend exemplifies the brightest form of Native American artistry"
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in Saint Louis in 1904. They had their own exhibit and jointly wove a basket that won the fair's highest award.
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390:"Indians of the California Missions: Territories, Affiliations and Descendants"
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Baskets made by
William and his wife Mary are curated in museums such as the
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Essential Art: Native
Basketry from the California Indian Heritage Center
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51:, California. He was an intelligent man who was very friendly with his
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Remember Your
Relations: The Elsie Allen Baskets, Family, and Friends
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79:. The couple lived most of their lives on Pomo tribal territory near
364:. Berkeley, Los Angeles, London: University of California Press.
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Abel-Vidor, Suzanne; Brovarney, Dot; Billy, Susan (1996).
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71:who traditionally resided in the coastal region of
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115:and are known as some of the finest ever woven.
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471:. National Museum of the American Indian. 1997
434:. National Museum of the American Indian. 2018
136:National Museum of the American Indian 2018
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525:20th-century Native American artists
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520:20th-century American male artists
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396:. The California Frontier Project
113:Field Museum of Natural History
69:indigenous people of California
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98:Louisiana Purchase Exposition
469:"Pomo People: Brief History"
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63:The couple belonged to the
19:(1862–1937) was an Eastern
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362:Surviving Through The Days
345:. Berkeley: Heydey Books.
324:. Berkeley: Heydey Books.
360:Luthin, Herbert (2002).
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500:Weavers from California
388:Bacich, Damien (2018).
105:Smithsonian Institution
17:William Ralganal Benson
455:. Smithsonian Magazine
447:Leibowitz, Ed (2004).
394:Californiafrontier.net
432:"Infinity of Nations"
341:Bibby, Brian (2012).
39:Early life and family
409:Harney, Tom (1992).
495:Pomo basket weavers
73:Northern California
277:, p. 106,107.
29:Mary Knight Benson
27:. He and his wife
23:basket maker from
416:Los Angeles Times
352:978-0-930588-80-9
331:978-1-59714-169-7
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515:1937 deaths
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475:16 December
459:13 December
438:16 December
422:16 December
400:13 December
246:Bacich 2018
234:Harney 1992
188:Luthin 2002
159:Luthin 2002
49:Kelseyville
489:Categories
308:References
299:Bibby 2012
287:Bibby 2012
275:Bibby 2012
171:Bibby 2012
111:, and the
45:Clear Lake
25:California
119:Footnotes
381:Websites
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75:above
314:Books
81:Ukiah
477:2018
461:2018
440:2018
424:2018
402:2018
366:ISBN
347:ISBN
326:ISBN
65:Pomo
53:Pomo
33:Pomo
21:Pomo
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