Weaving a legacy

Upon first glance, Gilbert Sark's baskets are beautiful displays of craftsmanship.

But each fibre and weave also represents an art that has been in his family for centuries, dating back to when the English and French first came to Canada.

"It's who we are," said Sark, also known as Tommy. "It brings back the memories and hardships the Indians went through."

But now the craft, which has been a part of Mi'kmaq heritage for generations is disappearing on Lennox Island.

"I think dad is one of about four people left (on Lennox Island) who are still really into it," said Sark's daughter Madlene Sark.

For Sark, basket weaving is an art he has been perfecting for over 50 years.

After his mother and grandmother passed away, Sark moved in with his uncle and aunt who, like many, made part of their living selling traditional baskets.

Sark spent many days wondering the woods with his uncle looking for the best trees for baskets.

"I watched whatever he did," Sark recalled. "Nobody can teach you (how to make baskets). You have to learn by watching and then doing."

But not all his uncle's lessons had to do with making baskets.

"We were out getting wood one afternoon and my uncle said, 'Do you want to know how to make an Indian whistle?' and I said 'Yeah, do it. Show me'.

"He was holding a piece of bark and the inside is very slippery," Sark said laughing.

"He said, 'Step on this' and I stood on it like a fool and he pulled it out from under me and I went into somersaults and he said 'That's how you make and Indian whistle.'"

Soon Sark was taking his own children with him to make baskets, telling them stories about their ancestors as he worked and baffling them with his skill.

"Dad would look at a tree he used to be able to tell us how many baskets you could get from it," Madlene said, noting he was often only off by a couple of baskets.

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