Rivercane Basket Weaving

By Example - We Lift As We Climb......
Arizona (Zona) Swayney Blankenship
Ah-mo-ya-ha
(1875-1934)

2010 - Arizona Jane Blankenship - Rivercane Doubleweaver
Aqisona Tseni Tsusgwanvna
Great-Granddaughter of Arizona Swayney Blankenship
Tribal Member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation

1902-1908: Arizona Swayney taught basket weaving at Hampton University in Virginia.
Zona was one of the highly esteemed and honorable citizens of the Reservation (Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation in North Carolina). Her work and achievements among her people will long be remembered by her neighbors, friends, acquaintances, her relatives and loved ones.....from The Smoky Mountain Indian Trail - March 21, 1934.

Flowing Water Double Weave Rivercane Basket

Stars On The Mountains River Cane Purse Basket

Single Weave Double Rim Rivercane Baskets

_{On My Road Of Education,}
_{I wandered off the Reservation.}
_{Into a whole new world I traveled,}
_{Seeking a Knowledge;
I knew not where.}
_{Things were strange and new for me}
_{as I arrived at my Destiny.}
_{In despair I cried
out, "Lord, help me to}
_{Understand these ways that are so different}
_{From My Homeland."}
_{The Lord sent an answer
to me, "Make the}
_{Most of this diverse situation,}
_{Do it for you and for your People back}
_{On The
Reservation."}
_{So now my goal is to be: Setting an example}
_{For all, Making my people proud of me.}
_{These things
I remember so well as I continue}
_{My education, Keeping in my head the
Knowledge}
_{I learn, so to the Indian People I will tell...}
_{As I wander back to the Reservation.}
_{by Arizona Jane Blankenship}
_{North Carolina State University - 1976}
_{B.A.,
Business Management, NCSU - 1979}
_{Masters
of Business Administration,}_{WCU- 1984}
_{Certified
Benefits Specialist - 2006}