Our Ute Friend, Susan Whyte

In the trading post business you have the privilege of meeting a wide variety of characters. One of the most charismatic and contrary individuals I have ever met just happened to be one of the finest basket weavers to ever pick up a branch of sumac. Her name was Susan Whyte, and she was a Ute weaver with a special talent for weaving baskets and outsmarting traders.

Susan Whyte was born in 1934 to Mary Dutchie White and Okuma White, in Allen Canyon, a remote homeland fortress in southeastern Utah. The Weeminuche band of Ute Indians were her people. She was descended from Mancos Jim, a respected leader, and Posey, a renegade who became famous for leading a revolt against the Mormon people in 1923. Susan had the heritage of both mediator and fighter. She also had a talent for basket weaving, which was passed down from her mother. One of the first signs of her contrary nature appeared when she adopted a different spelling for her last name. She thought the differentiated spelling suited her well, so from that point forward she became Susan Whyte.

We first met Susan in the mid 1970s. We learned very early in the relationship that she was someone to reckon with. Her sharp mind and keen eye missed nothing when it came to selling one of her "very special" baskets. Susan would stop by our trading post and ask if we were interested in buying a basket. She knew very well that we were. She was also aware that "to tantalize" made the bargaining easier. The old carrot and stick routine worked well for her. Her next question was always, "Do you want it rough or tight?" "Make it tight Susan, we like those the best!" we would say. She would laugh, and say "If I can find the time." Then off she would go, a mischievous smile spread across her face.

Every time Susan came in with a basket, the negotiating process would begin anew. Even though we both knew the eventual outcome ahead of time. It was a game to her - an essential part of the process. It was also necessary to express her feelings and emotions, and Susan had plenty of these to share. She always had plenty of advice on how to run a business or one's personal life. The bottom line was that Susan made incredible baskets. They were, bar none, the best ceremonial baskets we have ever seen.

One day Susan came strolling through the door, placed one of her baskets on the counter, and without blinking an eye asked two and a half times more for it than we had previously paid for a comparable piece. Taken aback, I offered her an equally unbalanced sum. She looked me straight in the eye and said, "Not this time, I am serious." Sensing a change of character, I asked, "Why so much?" Susan explained that to be able to weave her baskets, one must have three essential assets: good eyes, good teeth and strong hands. The reason one needs good eye sight and strong hands are obvious. Strong teeth are also essential to bite the sumac while stripping the bark with your hands. A weaver's teeth become a third hand of sorts.

The more we discussed the issue, the more I realized that Susan was indeed serious. Her final comment was, "No glasses, no more baskets." Knowing that I had been out-maneuvered, and definitely wanting more of her work, I paid the price. She smiled, said "Good choice," and walked out the door. Sure enough Susan showed up later with a new set of glasses, and more baskets. All was well again. At least until a few years later when in walked Susan with a large, finely woven basket. She sat it on the counter and asked an extraordinary price for it.
"What now ?" I asked.
"Dentist says I need dentures."

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