Past Events
An Evening of Intercultural Storytelling, Learning, and Hospitality
Women of Wisdom is a unique evening at Chico State focusing on honoring the traditions, philosophies, and wisdom of the Native American community in the North State. Women of Wisdom highlights the contributions by, and value of, Native American women by focusing on their storytelling oratory.
Through this event, Chico State hopes to foster a greater appreciation for the wisdom of our local Tribal communities with a key focus on women's experiences.
Women of Wisdom VI
Friday, April 1st, 2022
Exhibits
The Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology exhibited a collection of baskets made by artists in Northern California for all to enjoy and appreciate the mastery and techniques of generations of talented and skillful Native American basket makers.
Women of Wisdom IV
Tuesday, March 10th, 2020
Exhibits
Mountain Maidu Master Basketweaver Lilly Baker comes from a long lineage of Maidu women weavers. Currently, Lilly’s baskets are featured with those of her mother, Daisy Baker; grandmother, Kate Meadows McKinney; great-grandmother Jennie Meadows; aunt Selena Jackson, and others at the Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology on campus. Tonight, we have curated a few more baskets that are not in the exhibit for Women of Wisdom attendees. The basket collection reflects generations of talented weavers and is on loan to the museum from the Kurtz family through May 2020. Additionally, the Museum will be open after the Women of Wisdom program from 7:30 - 8:00 pm. The Museum is located in the Meriam Library building across from the main entrance to the library and down the hall from the Tribal Relation Office.
The Janet Turner Print Museum at California State University, Chico, advances the art of printmaking by making its international collection accessible to the people of Northern California and beyond. We engage a diverse public through stimulating exhibitions, programming, and study to inspire reflection, collaboration, and action. The collection includes over 4,000 prints by artists from more than 40 countries. We are always free and open to the public during exhibitions, Monday-Saturday from noon-4 p.m. in the Arts and Humanities Building. Our current exhibition is Large Print, up through April 4th, 2020, which showcases some of the largest works in the collection.
Women of Wisdom III
Friday, March 1st 2019
Exhibits
Long-time family friend of Daisy and Lily Baker, Ms. Kit Kurtz has loaned the Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology a collection of baskets made by Lily Baker, Daisy’s daughter. A selection of Lily’s baskets will be exhibited at the Women of Wisdom Event for all to enjoy and appreciate the mastery and techniques of Lily’s baskets, reflecting generations of talented and skillful Mountain Maidu basket makers.
Ali Meders Knight is a local Mechoopda Tribal member and active Chico community member. Ali is a traditional Basketweaver as well as an Artist who has several public art works installed in Chico. She has continually advocated and taught T.E.K. (Traditional Ecological Knowledge) in the Chico area for the last fifteen years and currently volunteers and teaches at schools and other organizations. Ali has been using her experience learning and teaching Traditional Ecological Knowledge as well as speaking publicly on Chico history from a Mechoopda perceptive as an inspiration for her art work. "The empowerment of the feminine spirit and creating spaces that reflect Mechoopda culture and identify are the most beautiful images in my mind's eye."
In addition, we will have an exhibit featuring basketry woven by honoree and local artist Susan Campbell, a descendant of the Yahmonee Maidu, Hammawii Pit River, and Washoe tribes and current member of the Susanville Indian Rancheria in Susanville, California. For the past 20+ years, Campbell has been training in and practicing traditional uses of natural materials and basket making with other local master weavers and has been a member of the California Indian Basketweavers Association since 1994.
Women of Wisdom II
Tuesday, March 6th 2018
In Collaboration Anthropology Museum
The event will host an exhibit featuring basketry woven by local artist Susan Campbell, a descendant of the Yahmonee Maidu, Hammawii Pit River, and Washoe tribes and current member of the Susanville Indian Rancheria in Susanville, California. For the past 20+ years, Campbell has been training and practicing in traditional uses of natural materials and basket making with other local master weavers and has been a member of the California Indian Basketweavers Association since 1994.
Campbell believes in "perpetuating and preserving the traditions that connect life with art, and weaver with willow, and the beargrass with the roots that create the basket"
Regalia and other artifacts of Northern California tribes will be on display, along with rare documents. Through the displays, we hope to honor the traditions, philosophies, and wisdom of the Native American community in the North State. These aspects of the exhibit are presented by the Dorothy Hill Special Collections through the Meriam Library.
Women of Wisdom I
Friday, February 24th 2017
Women of Wisdom IV
Women of Wisdom III
Women of Wisdom II
Women of Wisdom I
