Aleut basket weaver Don Johnston's natural gifts for both carving walrus ivory and working with the challenging threads of baleen from traditionally harvested Bowhead whales has drawn the attention of collectors worldwide.

Don is one of a handful of elite baleen basket weavers, and his works have won numerous awards, including Grand Champion and Judge’s Choice at the Alaska State Fair, Best in Basketry at Los Angeles Autry Museum Show, and most recently, the Best in Show at the 2017 Heard Museum Show, and Best in Category - Weaving at the 2018 Santa Fe Indian Market, and Best in Category, 2019 Heard Museum Show. A basket with a superb kayak finial now resides in the permanent collection of the Denver Art Museum.