The people of the Greats Lakes used several types of baskets that were either stitched or woven, or a combination of both. Baskets were made of birch or cedar bark, sweet grass, willow, basswood, ash and cedar roots. Today, most baskets are made from black ash, sweet grass, and birch or cedar bark.

Bark baskets are stitched and the seams are often sealed with pine pitch to make them airtight. Often a lid of some type is also made. These baskets were used to store maple sugar and other things. Before the Native People began trading with the Europeans for metal cooking pots, these baskets were also used for cooking. The basket would be filled with water, meat, and vegetables. Rocks were then heated on an open fire and dropped into the basket. When the rock cooled, it was removed and replaced with another heated rock.

Wood splint baskets (usually black ash) are woven with a over-one-under-one weave with two similar elements. Somewhere in the mid 1800's a decorative curl (known as "curled" work) was introduced in the splint basket work. 

The use of sweet grass can be found in the history of many peoples, from the Americas to Europe and Africa. Sweet grass is harvested between mid-June and into September before it turns dry. It is usually dried in the shade or a dark room so it holds its color. As it dries it begins to give off it's delicate fragrance. Some people say its fragrance is similar to vanilla. Great Lakes Native Americans use sweet grass to make coiled baskets and to decorate other types of boxes and baskets. 

Another type of basket is the “quill box” which is made of birch bark and often decorated with porcupine quills. The quill box has lid and the size determines what you place in it.