Keith Bear

World renowned flute player, Keith Bear (Hidatsa and Mandan), is from the Three Affiliated Tribes in Fort Berthold, North Dakota. He is the son of Christine and John Bear of the Nagadawi Clan, and related to Chief Bullseye, the adopted father of Sacajawea. On his mother's side, they are descendents of Chief Hairy Coat, and on his father's side, to Turtles Sitting Bull. Keith is father to eleven children, ages 32 to 5.

Keith plays the flute by ear and uses the flute to tell stories. His uncle, Carl, showed him how to make flutes by hand. He was also given the right to use porcupine quills on his flutes. Five of his children now make and play the flute. He has played music with orchestras all around the world and has numerous music awards. His CDs Makoche Masters, Echoes of the Upper Missouri, People of the Willows and Earthlodge were produced by Makoche Records. Native American Music nominated Earthlodge for Best Traditional Artist, Best Video and Best Male Artist.

Also a storyteller, he feels that stories are not merely legends or fables, but living stories. His presentations include being a spokesperson for the National Education Association regarding Indian warriors and Indian leaders. Stories of all origins are told daily to his children and presently he is in the process of having a book of his children's children stories published. Keith believes in race reconciliation and that all human beings were created by the same Creator, that all are part of the four nations and the four directions. Keith has grouped together with other fathers and grandfathers to create stories to help young men to cope with the reality of going to war and fighting battles and facing death. When children have problems he uses tricksters, spider and coyote, to relate to in stories. A storyteller for Amtrack, he dresses in Native American regalia.

Keith is also a pipe carrier and ceremonialist, and belongs to the Buffalo Dance Society. His uncle Fred is the war bonnet and headdress maker for the tribe and Keith has learned this skill from him. He is knowledgeable in genealogy and can gauge artwork by its era. Keith once had the honor of acting in a movie. He has also worked with foreign film and documentary companies.

Keith Bear (Mandan)
PO Box 215
New Town, ND 58763
701-627-4542 Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.