Potato basket made of ash splints, believed to have been made by the Mi'gmaq people of Maria.

The object reflects a traditional skill practiced by First Nations peoples: basket weaving. First Nations peoples used these techniques to make baskets and other containers. Here, the basket is the result of sophisticated techniques developed by the Mi'gmaq people of Gesgapegiag.

In addition, the object refers to a skill related to the gathering, preservation, and storage of agricultural goods, such as potatoes.

Basket weaving was traditionally a task for both men and women. The men cut the ash splints, while the women wove the baskets. In addition to their traditional uses, these baskets were also sold at roadside stands to passing tourists. In Gesgapegiag, the tradition lives on thanks to several artisans, including Stephen Jerome: "Stephen Jerome is a unique professional artisan who has mastered the entire basket-making process. From choosing the tree along the Cascapédia River to creating flexible ribbons and weaving the baskets, there are many techniques involved and every detail is important. "You have to listen to the wood, feel it, make sure it has grown in optimal conditions," he explains." (https://www.patrimoinevivant.qc.ca/programmes/maitres-de-traditions-vivantes/stephen-jerome-artisan-mikmaq-vannerie-traditionnelle/)