Charles Littleleaf, a Native American flute player and flute maker, is a tribal citizen of the

Warm Springs Indian Reservation The Warm Springs Indian Reservation consists of in north-central Oregon, in the United States, and is governed by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Tribes Three tribes form the confederation: the Wasco, Tenino (Warm Springs) and ...

Oregon Oregon ( , ) is a U.S. state, state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is a part of the Western U.S., with the Columbia River delineating much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington (state), Washington, while t ...

. Charles is also an honorary member of the

Piikani Nation The Piikani Nation (, formerly the Peigan Nation) (, ) is a First Nation (or an Indian band as defined by the ''Indian Act''), representing the Indigenous people in Canada known as the Northern Piikani (, ) or simply the Peigan ( or ). Histo ...

Alberta Alberta is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province in Canada. It is a part of Western Canada and is one of the three Canadian Prairies, prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to its west, Saskatchewan to its east, t ...

, Canada, and is the son of the late Chief Jack Littleleaf of Brocket, Alberta.

Native American flute player

In 1992, Warm Springs tribal member, Charles Littleleaf, received a flute from Native American flutist, R. Carlos Nakai. 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 that would not only benefit himself but 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. Years later, 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 creating concert Native American flutes for over 20 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 *''Ancient Reflections II'' 2024, 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 Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) is the primary public broadcasting, public media organization for the U.S. state of Oregon as well as southern Washington (state), Washington. It provides news, information, and programming via television stati ...

(2004) * Music soundtrack for the documentary ''The Oregon Story, Tribal Economies'',

(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 American flautists 21st-century American flautists Piikani Nation