Williams, Frances (1919 - May 1996)

Frances Williams was Huu-ay-aht (Nuu-chah-nulth), from the west coast of Vancouver Island. She was born at Sarita Bay, and later resided in the village of Bamfield with her husband Alex. She credits her grandmother May Williams for inspiring her to become a weaver. Her grandmother began teaching her basketry at the age of seven. Frances’ favourite design was the spiral lid design, the whale, the canoe, and the eagle with a water snake on the back. She wove baskets for 31 years and was considered to be one of the best Nuu-chah-nulth weavers. She died in 1996, and her family held a memorial potlatch for her on November 29, 1997.