Shan Goshorn (Eastern Band Cherokee, 1957–2018) was an influential artist renowned for her multimedia works that poignantly depicted Indigenous histories and contemporary identities. Her art, particularly her basket weaving, serves as a powerful medium to tell stories. Among her notable creations is Cherokee Burden Basket: A Song for Balance (2012), a piece that intricately weaves together historical burdens and the resilience found in Cherokee People Song.
This artwork was the focus of a virtual talk by Terra Engagement Fellow Teagan Harris on January 16, 2025. Harris situated Goshorn’s basket in conversation with Louise Erdrich’s novel The Night Watchman, the 2024-2025 One Book, One Northwestern selection. This discussion is part of a series exploring connections between pieces in The Block Museum’s collection and themes within The Night Watchman.
Cherokee Burden Basket: A Song for Balance artwork by Shan Goshorn, showcasing indigenous Cherokee people song and cultural heritage.
Goshorn’s Cherokee Burden Basket: A Song for Balance is crafted from Arches watercolor paper, archival inks, and acrylic paint. The basket incorporates texts from significant historical documents that represent the ongoing challenges and “burdens” faced by Cherokee women in the United States. A key document referenced is the 1835 Treaty of New Echota. This treaty, which resulted in the sale of 7 million acres of Cherokee ancestral lands and the tragic forced removal of the Cherokee Nation known as the Trail of Tears, embodies a profound historical weight.
However, Goshorn’s artistry doesn’t solely focus on burden. She masterfully balances these historical weights with elements of Cherokee culture and strength. Vibrant bands encircling the basket are inscribed with Cherokee songs and prayers for healing, written in the Cherokee syllabary. These bands are colored in traditional Cherokee directional hues, adding another layer of symbolism and cultural significance to the piece. These Cherokee people song elements are not mere decoration; they are integral to the artwork’s message of resilience and cultural continuity.
Close-up detail of Cherokee Burden Basket: A Song for Balance art, highlighting Cherokee syllabary and vibrant colors representing Cherokee people song and traditions.
In her talk, Teagan Harris delved into the documents and rich symbolism embedded within Goshorn’s work. She drew parallels between these elements and the narratives present in Louise Erdrich’s The Night Watchman. Erdrich’s novel recounts the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa’s fight against termination policies in the 1950s, echoing themes of struggle and resilience found in Goshorn’s depiction of Cherokee history and the enduring power of Cherokee people song. The quote from Erdrich’s epilogue, shared by Harris, powerfully underscores this connection: “If you should ever doubt that a series of dry words in a government document can shatter spirits and demolish lives, let this book erase that doubt. Conversely, if you should be of the conviction that we are powerless to change those dry words, let this book give you heart.”
Through Cherokee Burden Basket: A Song for Balance, Shan Goshorn creates a compelling dialogue between historical trauma and cultural strength. The inclusion of Cherokee people song and prayers serves as a potent reminder of the enduring spirit and cultural richness of the Cherokee Nation, offering a message of balance and hope amidst historical burdens.
