Spirit of the Pipe Commission Ships Out

Every Once and a while a project comes along that really finds a place in your soul.  This is one of those times.   On Monday I will be shipping this project to its new owner in Canada.  A First Nations man will carry this flute with him on an upcoming journey that will take him across Canada over a two-year period.

The idea for this flute came about after recently delivering a Native Styled pipe to the Western Ojibwe in Canada for which I was commissioned to craft.  In a way this flute is a continuation of this pipe.  The pipe which will be carried across Canada for the upcoming Tree of Peace Unity Walk will now have this flute as it’s companion.  I have named this flute the “Spirit of the Pipe”.

Testimony

I shared a vision with my Elders, Clan Mothers, and Grandfathers.  At the Council Fire they contemplated my vision, and in turn, they received a vision of a Sacred Eagle Pipe that was to be gifted to me.  Through ceremony and reflection, Spirit guided us to Timothy.  The Elders, Clan Mothers, and Grandfathers saw in his previous work, that it was evident that Timothy has a connection with the spirit of the materials he uses.  This was very important to us as this Sacred Eagle Pipe will lead a Tree of Peace Unity Walk and the planting of 44 Peace Trees across Canada.  This Unity Walk is the vision I received that will bring together First Nations Peoples and all Canadians for world peace and the healing of Mother Earth. When I received the pipe in a ceremony, I felt the energy of Timothy’s connection with the spirit in the wood and stone, in the making of this sacred pipe. Timothy is a master craftsman and artist who’s hands are blessed by the Great Spirit. In gratitude from myself and the Elders, Clan Mothers, and Grandfathers of the Cherokee, Iroquois, Ojibwe, and Cree of the Council Fire of this vision, we honor Timothy and his creation of the sacred pipe.

Walk Sacred, Talk Sacred,
Jesse-Blue Forrest – Sequoyah-Blue Deer Eagle

I wanted to incorporate the spirit from the sacred pipe by attaching a mouth piece to the flute that was crafted from the very same stone the pipe was made from.  In addition my plans were to craft a cabochon from the same stone to inlay into this flute.  In my mind’s eye this addition of the stone to the flute would help carry the spirit of this pipe over to the flute.  I had hopes that this flute would share in the very same journey as the pipe.

As one draws in the smoke from the pipe in ceremony this same breath would give life through their playing of the flute.  If this were to happen this would accomplish my vision for this piece.

This six hole  flute features a 1″ inch bore crafted from Old Growth Alaskan Yellow Cedar.  It is tuned to the Key of D#.  It features the Four Winds tuning holes and by most standard this is a large flute.  Although I think it is the perfect size as its new owner like me is a large man and should have no trouble playing it.

The theme for the pipe was that of the Eagle and so too we carried the same theme through to the flute by adding a fetish that represents a whimsical vision of the Eagle in flight.  The fetish sits between two rails crafted from a special wood called Sapodilla.  This reclaimed wood has much the same color tones as the pipestone.

One of the interesting twists in all of this is that the Tree of Peace Unity Walk will start it’s journey on a sacred mountain on Vancouver
Island.  The very same place the Alaskan Yellow Cedar used in this flute was harvested from several years ago.

It is always an honor when I have the opportunity to be commissioned for a project.  I am always humbled that there are those who find my style of art pleasing.  But it is especially humbling when I am given the opportunity to create something as special as these two projects for the First Nations People of Canada and know that they will be used in Ceremony and not used as a cliché…

Listen to Sound Sample from this flute