Charles Littleleaf, a Native American flute player and flute maker, is a tribal member of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation,

Oregon Oregon () is a U.S. state, state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington (state), Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of it ...

. Charles is also an honorary member of the Piikani Nation,

Alberta Alberta ( ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is part of Western Canada and is one of the three prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to the west, Saskatchewan to the east, the Northwest T ...

, Canada, and is the son of the late Chief Jack Littleleaf of

Brocket, Alberta Brocket is a settlement in Peigan 147, in southern Alberta located on Highway 3 between Pincher Creek and Fort Macleod. It is the main community on the Piikani Nation reserve. The community takes its name from Brocket Hall, in England. ...

Native American flute player

In 1992, Warm Springs tribal member, Charles Littleleaf, received from a flute Native American flutist,

R. Carlos Nakai Raymond Carlos Nakai (born April 16, 1946) is a Native American flutist of Navajo and Ute heritage. Nakai played brass instruments in high school and college, and auditioned for the Armed Forces School of Music after a two-year period in the ...

. Nakai's gift was intended to encourage Charles to learn the instrument. The following year, Nakai held one of the first Native American flute workshops at the Feathered Pipe Ranch in Helena, Montana and invited Charles to attend. The Feather Pipe workshop lasted two weeks and it was here, amidst players much more technically versed in music, where Charles learned one of the best lessons regarding the traditional flute: that playing from the heart and spirit is where some of the most beautiful Native American flute music will come from. In search of ways to further express his heart, Charles continued to play the flute without instruction. Through these instruments, he also found an emotional way to release healing qualities would not only benefit all of mankind. At the beginning of this musical journey, Charles played the flute at the home of his ancestors, primarily to family and friends. This is where the first samples of Charles' music developed. Later in years, Charles continues playing and enjoying the native flute. He has grounded his flute playing within the essence of Mother Earth and from memories growing up on his reservation which he shares with audiences around the world.

Native American flute maker

Charles Littleleaf has been constructing concert Native American flutes for over 15 years for both professionals and beginners alike.

Discography

*''Whispers of Earth Medicine'' 1997, Littleleaf Music (formerly Redwood Productions) *''Ancient Reflections'' 2002, Littleleaf Music *''Essence of Life'' 2019, Littleleaf Music

Collaboration

*''Heart of the Wolf'' (flute/vocals with Karen Therese) 2001, Red Feather Music

Credits

* Just Plain Folks Award for 'Song of the Year', ''Eagle Spirit'' from artist's Ancient Reflections CD, Los Angeles, CA (2008) * Featured article in Celebrity Magazine, Cowboys and Indians (Sept. 2007) * Artist documentary on flute making and biography, ''Oregon Art Beat'', Oregon Public Broadcasting (2004) * Music soundtrack for the documentary ''The Oregon Story, Tribal Economies'', Oregon Public Broadcasting (2001) * Native American Music Award (NAMA) Nominee (2001)

References

External links

* Charles Littleleaf website

{{DEFAULTSORT:Littleleaf, Charles American people of First Nations descent Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Native American flautists Native American flute players Native American male artists Musicians from Oregon Living people 1948 births 20th-century American musicians 20th-century American male musicians 21st-century American musicians 21st-century American male musicians 20th-century flautists 21st-century flautists Piikani Nation