Kelly Church is a fifth-generation basket maker and member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians in Michigan. Church and her family harvest black ash trees in the swampy areas of rural Michigan in a time consuming, traditional process, which are then woven into both utilitarian and decorative baskets. Church’s work ranges from traditional wedding baskets to more experimental works, like this basket made from vinyl window blinds. Church created this piece in response to the deadly effects of the emerald ash borer, an invasive insect that is decimating North American black ash forests. Church used recycled vinyl blinds in this basket to explore a future in which the traditional materials of black ash basketry are no longer available.