Mary (Rector) Aitson

2025

Annual Award Winners

Mary (Rector) Aitson

Cherokee National Treasure Award

Weaving baskets and creating natural dyes for more than 28 years, Mary (Rector) Aitson, 93, has shown her work at the Santa Fe Indian Market, Red Earth and events across Oklahoma. A retired educator, Aitson taught sixth grade in Kansas and northwest Oklahoma for 38 years. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Northeastern State University. Aitson continues to share her basketry expertise with Native youth and college student organizations. Currently, she weaves with honeysuckle, buck brush and palm reed along with natural dyes and commercial dyes. Her baskets are held in collections worldwide.

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