Sadie Marks

SADIE MARKS
Hopi

Sadie Marks, a Hopi and member of the Roadrunner Clan, was born and grew up in community of Hotevilla, AZ on Third Mesa. She attended Phoenix Indian High School, where she met Homer Marks, Sr., a member of the Tohono O'odham community. After graduation in 1968, she and Homer were married and moved to the O'odham village of Santa Rosa.

Soon after moving to the Tohono O'odham Nation, Sadie's mother-in-law began to each her how to weave traditional O'odham baskets. After mastering these techniques, Sadie turned to her heritage, incorporating Hopi designs into her weaving, especially the turtle design. She is also one of the few weavers who incorporates the "honeycomb" stitch into many of her baskets. This combination of O'odham techniques, Hopi designs and her own innovations has made her basketry unique. She has won top prizes at events such as the Southwest Indian Art Fair (1st Place), Celebration of Basketweaving: Arizona Indian Basketweavers Gathering and Market, and O'odham Tash (1st Place, Best of Category and Special Award).

Sadie has taught her youngest daughter to weave baskets. Through her participation and leadership in the Tohono O'odham Basketweavers Organization (TOBO), she has also taught basketry classes to more than 15 youth in the Santa Rosa community.

Sadie weaves because it allows her to express her feelings and her heritage. Weaving also helps relieve stress of everyday life.

Website designed by Dinehweb.com

Report any broken links or problems to webmaster

Back to top | Home