Handmade baskets, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Crafting continuity. Native American Heritage Month

A basket can carry far more than its contents. The Native American basketry seen here in Santa Fe, New Mexico, points to a much bigger story: a rich variety of techniques and designs developed by communities across the country. Their materials, patterns, and styles reflect their places of origin, turning everyday objects into records of local knowledge and identity.

Every November, Native American Heritage Month shines a light on stories like these. What began as a week of recognition in 1986 expanded into a month in 1990, celebrating the cultures, contributions, and creativity that continue to shape the United States today.

Santa Fe is a fitting place to explore that story. The city is home to the Institute of American Indian Arts, where contemporary and traditional Native basketry is featured alongside pottery, jewelry, paintings, and prints. Here, the past isn't sitting quietly behind glass. It's being woven into the present, shaped by new generations of artists, and carried into the future.