LaFranee Brenda

Brenda LaFranee (Tsioniaeon)
MOHAWK
P.O. Box 728
Hogansburg, N.Y. 13655
tsioniaeon2@hotmai1.com

Brenda LaFrance’s grandmother, Nancy Conners Lazore, was a master basketmaker from Akwesasne. Brenda started taking basketmaking classes at the Akwesasne Museum in the early 1990’s from master weaver Henry Arquette, specializing in workbaskets like picnic baskets, corn washing baskets and clothes baskets. In the mid-90’s in order to learn more about fancy baskets, Brenda began taking classes from Mary Leaf and later, Linda Jackson.
Fancy basketmaking is one of the most important creative practices for women at Akwesasne. Brenda LaFrance strives to become a fluent Mohawk speaker and making baskets reinforces her connection to her culture and family.