THE MAKING OF PRECIOUS CARGO

Special two day educational symposium on California Indian Cradle Baskets

The Making of Precious Cargo

A two day educational symposium

based upon Precious Cargo:

Childbirth and Cradle Baskets

In California Indian Culture" Exhibition

Feb. 18-19, 2004

Embassy Suites Hotel, San Rafael

Highlights include: premiere screening of Precious Cargo" documentary by PBS award winning filmmaker Terry Strauss, narrated by actor Peter Coyote.

Special guests include Peter Coyote, California Indian scholar Brian Bibby,and basket weaver Loren Bommelyn (Tolowa)

Held in conjunction with the 20th Annual Marin Indian Art Show

Embassy Suites, San Rafael, California.

Presented by Marin Museum of the American Indian

415-897-4064

About PRECIOUS CARGO: Childbirth and Cradle Baskets in California Indian Culture - The Precious Cargo Exhibition Project, designed to appeal to both Native and non-native audiences, preserves important cultural information concerning childbirth and the use of cradle baskets in California Indian cultures. In addition to the exhibition, the Project includes a catalog edited by California Indian scholar Brian Bibby, thought-provoking public programs, curriculum for educators, a web site, and a short documentary film featuring the views of contemporary California Indian weavers and elders. Scheduled to travel to sixteen museums in California, each exhibit is designed to enhance cross-cultural communications.

Sponsors: National Endowment for the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, California Exhibition Resources Alliance, California Council for the Humanities, Fund for Folk Culture, Dominican University of California, Marin Community Foundation, Marin Independent Journal, and NBC 11.

About Marin Museum of the American Indian - The museums goal is to promote an awareness and understanding of Native American history and culture. It is the only museum in the San Francisco Bay Area devoted exclusively to Native Americans from all regions and offers a range of programs that include Camp Coyote" for children, Tales Around the Campfire" as well as ongoing exhibits of rare indigenous toys, artifacts and tools and a special multimedia Precious Cargo display that opens Feb. 2004.

For more information: 415-897-4064/www.marinindian.com.

Media contact only: Karen Pierce Gonzalez Public Relations

707-792-4376