Background
Lucy Telles was born near Mono Lake, in Mono County, California. Her Indian name was Pamahas, which translates to "Meadows" in the Northern Paiute language. Her parents were Louisa and Mack Tom. Her maternal grandparents were Mono Lake Paiute Captain Sam and Mono 'Yosemite Paiute' Susie Sam. She and her family lived in Yosemite Valley and at Mono Lake. As a child, Telles played near Galen Clark's cabin. To supplement her family's income, she caught fish in the Valley to sell to hotel keepers.
Telles' first husband was Jack Parker, a Paiute. In 1902 they had a son, Lloyd Parker, but shortly after he was born, Jack died. She later married John Telles, a Mexican-American from Texas. John worked as a truck driver and laborer for the 'Yosemite Park & Curry Company,' and the couples lived in Yosemite Valley.
Lucy Telles was one of a group of Mono-Paiute women "became known for their exceedingly fine, visually stunning and complex polychrome baskets." Other basket weaving artists in this group included Nellie Charlie and Carrie Bethel.
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