Master Apprenticeship Programs

This program supports Washoe Tribal Artists by pairing them with master Knowledge Keepers to preserve and revitalize traditional cultural practices. Apprentices are learning the intricate art of basketry and the deep-rooted traditions of Washoe song. These practices are not only artistic expressions but also vital carriers of ecological knowledge, identity, and intergenerational connection. Given the small number of Washoe people living on neighborhood-sized reservations, each weaver and singer is a cultural treasure. This program ensures that these endangered art forms continue to thrive and evolve within the community.

Future Gardens

Future Gardens are long-term, climate-adaptive installations that explore how ecosystems might respond to a warming planet. As part of Stewarding Knowledges, the team is redesigning the existing Future Garden at Sagehen Creek Research Station and co-creating a new garden at the Marion Steinbach Indian Basket Museum in Tahoe City. These gardens serve as experimental spaces where native and culturally significant plants can be cultivated, studied, and shared. They also function as living classrooms—places where Indigenous land stewardship, scientific inquiry, and public education intersect to imagine resilient futures for both people and ecosystems.