Native American traditions are alive and well at Mission San Juan Capistrano thanks to a small group of Native Americans who have maintained — and some might say “perfected” — the art of basket weaving.
Teeter Marie Olivares Romero, Ellen Sue Olivares and Kim Olivares Leone lead the teaching of the art of basket weaving every first and third Wednesday at the Mission. It has become an integral part of the Mission’s efforts to preserve the history and traditions of the area.
Teeter has been basket weaving for 35 years, an idea she came up with during San Juan’s celebration of the Mission’s 200-year anniversary in 1976.
“When we reached out in the 70’s, I was a docent,” Teeter said. “I come from five generations of docents. We started looking for something to recognize the history. The 200-year anniversary triggered it in us. The whole city, we celebrated for one whole year. I started basket weaving and I liked it, I kept it up because I got so interested in the culture.”
Teeter soon learned that basket weaving involved an intricate process. She learned about the materials that were needed, and it took more than a trip to the store to gather them.
“You have to find a place to gather, so we’d go to the river for materials but it was all concrete in the 70’s,” Teeter said. “We have to go into the wild for materials, like juncus and yucca. Once you have the materials you have to dry ’em, then size ’em, then cut ’em. It takes a long time from beginning to end.”
Teeter said she donates some of the baskets she makes, and saves many to give to a museum someday.
Ellen Sue says her intent when making the baskets “is to capture the culture of our elders and teach other generations.” Kim says her 7-year-old granddaughter “is learning all of our traditions and it is rewarding to know I’m showing two generations.”
It is indeed a family tradition that Teeter says was meant to be.
“I’ve lived all my life two blocks away from the Mission,” she said. “Sometimes you’re meant to be in one spot. I knew if I married someone from here, I’d never leave.”
Teeter met and married the late Bill Romero, whose father worked at the Mission and knew how to make adobe.
“The Mission, for our kids, for our family, has always been our playground.”
About Mission San Juan Capistrano:
Known as the “Jewel of the Missions,” Mission San Juan Capistrano is a historic landmark and museum that boasts of quality permanent exhibits featuring original artifacts as well as traveling and temporary exhibits on a wide variety of topics.
The site itself serves as a living outdoor museum with original buildings constructed by Native Americans in the 18th century including the Serra Chapel, Great Stone Church, and the original padres’ quarters of the South Wing.
The Mission was founded on November 1, 1776 by Padre Junipero Serra as the seventh in the chain of the twenty-one California missions established by Spain, and is Orange County’s only mission. Every year, over 50,000 students visit the Mission and engage in an inspirational learning experience via the Mission Matters programming, as part of their State required California history studies.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is owned by the Diocese of Orange and is supported by the Mission Preservation Foundation, which is comprised of business and community leaders committed to ensuring the long term preservation and viability of Orange County’s only Mission. The Mission receives no funding from either the Church or the State of California and charges admission funds as a means of providing public access.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is located at 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Open Daily 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Good Friday afternoon. Admission is $9 adults; $8 seniors (60 years or over); $5 children (ages 4 to 11); and children ages 3 and under are admitted free. Free audio guide with senior and adult admission. For more information, call (949) 234-1300 or visit www.missionsjc.com.
