Charles Littleleaf
Encyclopedia
Charles Littleleaf, a Native American
, born in Warm Springs, Oregon
, is a Native American flutist
and traditional flute maker. Littleleaf is a tribal member of the Confederated Tribes
of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation
, Central Oregon
. He is also an Honorary Member of the Piegan Blackfeet Band Reserve, Brocket, Alberta
, Canada
.
Charles Littleleaf was instructed in the ways of playing the Native American flute
by recording artist, R. Carlos Nakai
. Where Nakai adds a layering of contemporary instrumentals behind his own playing, Littleleaf has grounded his flute playing within the essence of Mother Earth
, and from memories of life growing up on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation
of Oregon.
In 1997, Littleleaf's first album (cassette) was released, titled Whispers of Earth Medicine. In 2002, his album Ancient Reflections was released on compact disc, which contains his renown rendition of Trail of Tears
/Amazing Grace.
Littleleaf collaborations:
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, born in Warm Springs, Oregon
Warm Springs, Oregon
Warm Springs is a census-designated place and an unincorporated community in Jefferson County, Oregon, United States. Located on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, the community is also known as the "Warm Springs Agency." The population was 2,431 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Warm Springs is...
, is a Native American flutist
Native American flute
The Native American flute has achieved some measure of fame for its distinctive sound, used in a variety of New Age and world music recordings. The instrument was originally very personal; its music was played without accompaniment in courtship, healing, meditation, and spiritual rituals. Now it...
and traditional flute maker. Littleleaf is a tribal member of the Confederated Tribes
Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs is a federally recognized confederation of Native American Tribes who currently live on and govern the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in the U.S...
of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation
Warm Springs Indian Reservation
The Warm Springs Indian Reservation consists of 1,019.385 sq mi in north central Oregon, in the United States, and is occupied and governed by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.-Tribes:...
, Central Oregon
Central Oregon
Central Oregon is a geographic region in the U.S. state of Oregon and is traditionally considered to be made up of Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook counties. Other definitions include larger areas, often encompassing areas to the north towards the Columbia River, eastward towards Burns, or south...
. He is also an Honorary Member of the Piegan Blackfeet Band Reserve, Brocket, Alberta
Brocket, Alberta
Brocket is a settlement in Peigan 147, in southern Alberta located on the Highway 3, between Pincher Creek and Fort Macleod. It is the main community on the Peigan reserve.-Demographics:...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Charles Littleleaf was instructed in the ways of playing the Native American flute
Native American flute
The Native American flute has achieved some measure of fame for its distinctive sound, used in a variety of New Age and world music recordings. The instrument was originally very personal; its music was played without accompaniment in courtship, healing, meditation, and spiritual rituals. Now it...
by recording artist, R. Carlos Nakai
R. Carlos Nakai
Raymond Carlos “R.” Nakai is a Native American flautist of Navajo/Ute heritage.-Biography:Born Ray Carlos Nakai, in Flagstaff, Arizona, he released his first album, Changes, in 1983...
. Where Nakai adds a layering of contemporary instrumentals behind his own playing, Littleleaf has grounded his flute playing within the essence of Mother Earth
Mother Nature
Mother Nature is a common personification of nature that focuses on the life-giving and nurturing aspects of nature by embodying it in the form of the mother. Images of women representing mother earth, and mother nature, are timeless...
, and from memories of life growing up on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation
Warm Springs Indian Reservation
The Warm Springs Indian Reservation consists of 1,019.385 sq mi in north central Oregon, in the United States, and is occupied and governed by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.-Tribes:...
of Oregon.
In 1997, Littleleaf's first album (cassette) was released, titled Whispers of Earth Medicine. In 2002, his album Ancient Reflections was released on compact disc, which contains his renown rendition of Trail of Tears
Trail of Tears
The Trail of Tears is a name given to the forced relocation and movement of Native American nations from southeastern parts of the United States following the Indian Removal Act of 1830...
/Amazing Grace.
Discography
Littleleaf has released the following solo albums:- Whispers of Earth Medicine 1997, Littleleaf Music (formerly Redwood Productions)
- Ancient Reflections 2002, Littleleaf Music (formerly Redwood Productions)
Littleleaf collaborations:
- Heart of the Wolf (flute/vocals with Karen Therese) 2001, Red Feather Music
Credits
- Just Plain Folks AwardJust Plain Folks Music OrganizationJust Plain Folks Music Organization is a website and community founded by Brian Austin Whitney with the intent of helping anyone involved in the music industry to network, share their experiences, build relationships, and grow...
for 'Song of the Year', Eagle Spirit from artist's Ancient Reflections CD, Los Angeles, CA (2008) - Featured articleArticle (publishing)An article is a written work published in a print or electronic medium. It may be for the purpose of propagating the news, research results, academic analysis or debate.-News articles:...
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) NomineeNative American Music AwardsThe Native American Music Awards , commonly known as the Nammys, are an awards program presented annually by The Native American Music Association & Awards, which recognizes outstanding musical achievement among Native Americans...
(2001)
External links
- Littleleaf Native American Flute Music: http://www.littleleaf.com
- Littleleaf Native American Flutes: http://www.littleleafnativeamericanflutes.com
- Charles Littleleaf: Speaking Truth With The Native American Flute http://www.perkersonpark.com/2010/04/charles-littleleaf-speaking-truth-with-the-native-american-flute.html (2010)
- KBOO RadioKBOOKBOO is a non-profit organization, listener-funded FM Community radio station broadcasting from Portland, Oregon. The station's mission is to serve groups in its listening area who are underrepresented on other local radio stations and to provide access to the airwaves for people who have...
'Indian Country' Interview: http://kboo.fm/node/22005 (2010) - Charles Littleleaf and Warm Springs Dancers Travel to France http://www.madraspioneer.com/News.html#ws
- Artist Photo: http://www.littleleaf.com/charleslittleleaf.jpg
- Artist Photo: http://www.littleleaf.com/charles3.jpg
- Artist Photo: http://www.littleleaf.com/charles1a.jpg
