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Patricia Kurtz
After graduating from Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, PATRICIA LINDGREN KURTZ taught high school art in the Mountain Maidu country of Indian Valley in Plumas County, California. Born and rais...view moreAfter graduating from Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, PATRICIA LINDGREN KURTZ taught high school art in the Mountain Maidu country of Indian Valley in Plumas County, California. Born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, she held great respect for the culture and traditions of the native Hawaiians. With a deep interest in history, her curiosity grew as she became acquainted with Daisy and Lilly Baker. These new Maidu friends, dedicated to the practice of their cultural traditions, told her of family upheavals and tragedies from the Gold Rush era to modern times. In the 1950s, published historical information was sparse about Indian Valley. Desiring to know more, Pat interviewed both Maidu and pioneer informants, researched early books and newspapers, read diaries and journals, and in 1963 wrote this Master’s Thesis. With deepened interest, she realized that these Maidu basket makers left us a precious legacy. Their baskets with related artifacts are being displayed at the Maidu Museum in Roseville, California.view less