The woodland style flute that I make is a very old type of flute that originated in what we refer to today as North America or Turtle Island. It has its roots in the northern and eastern woodland area where the indigenous people have their own names for the flute, in their native language. Today, it is commonly referred to as a Native American flute.
The piece that sits on the flute is called the bird; my interpretation in carving the shape of this piece is meant to represent water. It is my intention to honor the importance of this life-giving source to all living things.
A tree is burned on the base of each flute to honor all of its gifts. As it is rooted into the earth, it exchanges breath with us, gives us fruit and food, medicines, firewood, warmth and light, wood for our homes, and wood for the flutes themselves. Through the life of a tree there is rain, wind, birds, insects, mosses and stones at their base. Trees give in so many ways and are teachers themselves. The tree burnings on my flutes are intended to remind us of these gifts.