AURELIA OJEDA MELENDREZ, Kumeyaay Indian Basketmaker

Aurelia Ojeda Melendrez, a famous California Indian basket weaver, weaves coiled juncus baskets and willow acorn storage baskets. She is famous for her stunning coiled rattlesnake basket patterns and Kumeyaay basket hats. Aurelia is the daughter of the basketmaker Virginia Melendrez and she learned to weave Indian baskets at a young age with her grandmother, Celia Silva.

Aurelia Ojeda lives in the Kumeyaay tribal community of San Jose de la Zorra, Baja California, Mexico, and is well known on both sides of the US-Mexico Border as a master basketweaver. She supports her four children through her Kumeyaay basket artwork.

This Kumeyaay artist's authentic coiled juncus basketry may be purchased at Shumup Ko Hup Indian gift shop in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.