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Location: Nevada         Length: 4 min

Mike Williams is a member of the Walker River Paiute band from Fallon, Nevada. Inspired by the tule work duck decoys found in the local Lovelock Cave excavations of the 1920s, he experimented and learned to replicate the prehistoric tule work. He inspired a revival of this craft, earning recognition in the 2008 Governor’s Art’s Awards. Here he explains some of the background, the connection of his craft to the Stillwater area, and the technique for constructing and decorating the duck decoys. In the film also is his son Jesse, who is learning the craft.

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Produced in 2010 by the Nevada Arts Council

Copyright 2010 by the Nevada Arts Council Department of Cultural Affairs

A film by Gwendolyn Clancy

Research by Patricia Atkinson

Duck decoy images, Lovelock Cave (National Museum of the American Indian, Collections Search)

Lovelock Cave Artifacts (Humboldt Museum)

Nevada Arts Council

Oldest duck decoys ever found in Lovelock Cave (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Walker River Paiute Tribe (official site)