Weave Me a Story

9/17/2019

At the Mountain's Base by Traci Sorell ill by Weshoyot Alvitre

Sorell's cumulative verse begins beneath a hickory tree at the base of a mountain. The scene zooms in to reveal a cabin beneath the spreading branches of the tree. Stepping inside the cabin, readers see a simple yet welcoming home. Generations of Cherokee women watch as a grandma picks up fibers and weaves a pattern. She is intertwining more than strands of colored wool. She is weaving together a family, bound by love and tradition.
Her threads extend beyond the walls of the cabin and encompass a family member far away.
A pilot flying far away in war-ravaged skies senses the influence of her grandma's songs and prayers. It is a prayer is for peace and a safe return.

An Author's Note explains that while this story fictional, it is based on the service of one Native American woman, Ola Mildred "MIllie" Rexroat an OgLaLa Lakota pilot.

Alvitre's evocative illustrations highlight Native American culture and the strong influence of the family matriarch. My favorite illustration is a two-page spread close-up of grandma's gnarled arthritic hands as she weaves. Her years of devotion to family and her craft are a testament to a grandmother's care for her family.

At the Mountain's Base offers a glimpse into a tightly knit structure that treasures home and family.

The Art of Weaving

My family's roots are in the American Southwest. Through marriage, friendships, and partnerships, we have learned to appreciate and respect the Navajo Nation. We were blessed to receive a beautiful hand-woven blanket, made from natural fibers and woven in a pattern similar to the blanket featured in the video.
I have always admired the intricately woven baskets similar to those created by Native American artist Shan Goshorn.