Elissie John

Elissie “Liz” John, born 1931, was a member of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana. She was an artisan in the tradition of Coushatta pine needle basketry. From the 80s until the early 2000s, she and husband Tom John, crisscrossed the country selling her baskets in Native American arts and crafts shows. In that time she won many awards, including multiple bests in show, which led to her representing Coushatta basketry in the Smithsonian. In viewing her baskets, you are seeing something both ancient and current, traditional yet exceptional. And although she may be gone, Liz John is speaking to you now. — Jason Carrasco (Grandson)