A Summerside, Prince Edward Island, resident has been named a 2025 Heritage & Culture Award recipient for her work in Mi’kmaq basket weaving and cultural education. Ashley Moore, a local artist and mother of two, is being recognized for her efforts to preserve and share Indigenous heritage with the community.
The award will be presented during a public event at 1:30 PM on March 24, 2026, at Summerside City Hall. The ceremony takes place during the Mayor’s Heritage Tea, an event hosted by Culture Summerside to honour individuals who promote local arts and history.
Moore has been practicing traditional crafts since 2007, learning alongside her mother, Noella Moore. Together, they lead regular workshops at St. Eleanors Community School on Wednesday nights and at the Birchtree Gallery Shop in Victoria during the summer months to teach others the art of weaving.
According to Indigenous PEI, basket weaving has deep historical roots as a means of survival and trade for the Mi’kmaq people. Moore’s work, which also includes quill art and beading, is showcased at the organization’s gallery in Charlottetown as part of a platform for Indigenous artists.
Beyond its historical importance, Moore describes the craft as a therapeutic practice that helps keep her mind focused and her culture alive. This recognition follows a similar honour given to her mother in 2024, continuing a family legacy of cultural preservation in the region.
