Terrol Dew Johnson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Terrol Dew Johnson
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Terrol Dew Johnson at 2012 Champions of Change gathering at the White House
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| Born | 1973 |
| Died | May 5, 2024 |
| Nationality | Tohono O'odham Nation, American |
| Known for | Basket weaving |
| Movement | basket making, sculpture |
Terrol Dew Johnson (1973–2024) was a talented Tohono O'odham basket maker and artist. He was also a health leader who worked to help his community. He taught people about eating traditional Native foods to stay healthy and prevent illnesses like diabetes.
Contents
Early Life and Art Journey
Terrol Dew Johnson grew up in Sells, Arizona. He was part of the Tohono O'odham Nation. Terrol started weaving baskets when he was only ten years old. He found it fun and enjoyed working with his hands. His parents, especially his mother Betty Ann Pancho, really encouraged him to keep learning and practicing basketry.
Weaving with Nature's Gifts
Terrol Johnson used plants that his tribe had used for hundreds of years. He experimented with new ways to weave and create different shapes. One of his famous pieces, Quilt Basket, shows off many weaving styles. He used materials like bear grass, yucca, devil's claw, and gourds. He was especially known for his gourd baskets. For these, he would cut parts of a gourd and then fill the empty spaces with finely woven bear grass.
In 2016, Terrol worked with an architecture group called Aranda\Lasch. They created an exhibit called "Meeting the Clouds Halfway" at the Tucson Museum of Contemporary Art. This show mixed traditional designs made from desert plants with patterns made by computers.
Terrol Johnson won many top awards for his amazing basketry. These awards came from big events like the Santa Fe Indian Market, O'odham Tash, the Heard Museum Guild Fair, and the Southwest Museum's Indian Art Fair.
Helping the Community: TOCA
In 1996, Terrol Johnson and his friend Tristan Reader started an organization called Tohono O'odham Community Action (TOCA). This group helps the community in many ways. TOCA runs a cooperative where people make and sell baskets. They also farm and sell traditional Native foods.
Fighting Diabetes with Traditional Foods
Sadly, many Tohono O'odham people have a high rate of adult-onset diabetes. TOCA created the Tohono O'odham Community Food System. This program provides tribal members with traditional desert foods. The goal is to help people fight diabetes and live healthier lives. These foods include tepary beans, mesquite beans, cholla (cactus) buds, chia seeds, squashes, acorns, and saguaro cactus fruit and syrup.
TOCA's work became very well-known. In 1999, Terrol Johnson was named one of the top ten community leaders by the Do Something organization. In 2001, TOCA received the Coming Up Taller Award from the US President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. Both Terrol and Tristan Reader won the Ford Foundation's Leadership for a Changing World Award in 2002. In 2011, Terrol Johnson was honored at the White House. He was named a Food Security "Champion of Change" for his efforts to bring back traditional Native foods.
Sharing the Message: "The Walk Home"
For two years, Terrol Dew Johnson went on a special journey called "The Walk Home." He walked 3000 miles across the country with some of his younger relatives. Along the way, they stopped at different Native communities. They talked about health and culture, and celebrated Native foods and healthy living. "The Walk Home" finished its journey on March 20, 2010.
Native Foodways Magazine
In 2013, TOCA started a national magazine called Native Foodways Magazine. This magazine shares stories about Native American foods, cooking, and cultural importance. Terrol Johnson was the publisher and a big part of making the magazine. The magazine and its online presence have been very important for the Native Food Sovereignty movement. This movement helps Native communities control their own food systems. Terrol was also a founding member of the Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance (NAFSA).
