OPG unveils Salli Benedict basket collection

August 26, 2014
Grand Chief Michael Mitchell of Akwesasne and Jasmine Benedict present OPG Senior Vice President, Hydro-Thermal Operations Mike Martelli with a traditional Fancy Basket in appreciation of a growing relationship between Akwesasne and Ontario Power Generation at the OPG St. Lawrence Power Development Visitor Centre in Cornwall on July 25, 2014.
Grand Chief Michael Mitchell of Akwesasne and Jasmine Benedict present OPG Senior Vice President, Hydro-Thermal Operations Mike Martelli with a traditional Fancy Basket in appreciation of a growing relationship between Akwesasne and Ontario Power Generation at the OPG St. Lawrence Power Development Visitor Centre in Cornwall on July 25, 2014.

CORNWALL, Ont.  – Ontario Power Generation hosted the official unveiling of the Salli Benedict basket collection at the St. Lawrence Power Development Visitor Centre, located outside of OPG’s R.H. Saunders Generating Station in Cornwall. The exhibit is open to the public.

“This visitor centre has been home to several exhibitions, but none has displayed quite the beauty and craftsmanship as the Salli Benedict basket collection,” says OPG’s Senior Vice President of Hydro – Thermal Operations, Mike Martelli. “It is an honour to display her work at our centre.”

Working collaboratively with the Mohawk Council of Awkwesasne, the Native North American Travelling College and the Benedict family, OPG is proud to display this precious hand-crafted basket collection created by the late Salli Benedict, who is revered in the community for her contributions to Mohawk culture and rights.

“Salli’s vision was always meant to inspire future artisans with Mohawk cultural knowledge and practice,” says Mohawk Council of Awkwesasne Grand Chief Mike Mitchell. “Salli was an amazing woman, and we are happy to see her life work collection honoured with this exhibit.”

This one-of-a-kind, First Nation exhibit is offered free to the public and features 88 hand crafted baskets of all shapes and sizes, representing traditional Mohawk art and culture. The collection will be on display for approximately six months. The St. Lawrence Power Development Visitor Centre is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.