Bud & Rona Johnston Are included in the Arts Across Minnesota Touring Directory
Access MN. Touring Directory Here
We would like to announce a special invitation to:
local American Indian Youth,
local Boy Scout Troops
local Girl Scouts
youth based organization.
Classes to be held in Pipestone MN.
We would like to start a local American Indian Drum group
provide workshops for learning basic dance steps and
then help you make your dance regalia.
workshop will be low cost to encourage participation
by people from all social economic groups
We have some scholarships available
If interested in participating or donating time, supplies or money please call 507-825-3734 12:30-4:00 Tues-Sat. or email pipe@iw.net
We do presentations in a variety of situations from historical re-enactments, schools, colleges, art shows, pow wows, conferences, and even for individual's. We often do presentations on an overview of American Indian history, the history of Pipestone, pipe making, beadwork, and Native American storytelling. Workshops and presentations such of these help enrich the lives of all they touch. What better way to spend time with your family, group, friends or your students than to immerse them in a little tribal art, history or culture for the day or even an hour? We have done craft and dance demonstrations and classes all over Europe and the United states. We have resumes for artists and presenters available on request.
As an organization we have a number of members with talent's to share from around the country sometimes we can pass your information on to them, but our main presenters are Rona Johnston, Bud Johnston and children. This works because they are self employed where many of our other presenters have full time jobs and are not so flexible. Bud, Rona and son Pascal have traveled around the world doing presentations on pipe making and American Indian dance. over the past 10 years.
Presentations can be individualized to meet your needs. Subjects covered and length of presentation have varied over the years. Recently we did a American Indian dance presentation at Balaton School in Minnesota each presentation was less than 40mn., while we did an almost 2 hour dance presentation at Ramstien Air force Base in Germany for our wounded troops. At Ramstien we were part of a larger group demonstrating the different styles of dance and telling a little about each style, while at Balaton we invited and dressed up a few students from each audience, showed then how the basic dance step should look, then had them and the audience join us in an intertribal dance. We always try to educate the audience with basic information and stories about whatever subject we are covering with the dance presentation we want you to go away knowing the origin of each dance, basic etiquette at a pow wow, how each dance looks and of course have fun learning. Some workshop take more time and may have a limit to the size of group. Pipestone After School Program wanted us to do a pipestone carving workshop for 65 students ages 5 through 13 but the group was too large. We made it work by dividing the students into 3 groups one group carved pipestone hearts or arrowheads, one group did bead animals and the other group made fry bread. We have workshops and presentations appropriate for any age group from preschool to adult. We can do the presentation or work shop at your facility or ours.
The Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of Pipe makers is a 501C3 organization dedicated to preserving the unique Culture, History and Arts of our American Indian People. The board is made up of a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds . Besides the Annual Gathering and Pow Wow the Keepers work with various local school districts to bring American Indian education to the classroom, we also work with Flandreau Indian School to provide Cultural classes to their students, and we are currently cooperating with the business from four local communities “Pipestone, MN.; Luverne, MN.; Jasper MN.; and Garretson, SD.“ to promote tourisms and improve life for all. We have received grants from MN. Arts & Humanities, The State of MN., Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, various local businesses, United Tribes, and numerous individuals in the past 3 years.
Prices depend on where, when, what, how many and how long. We do need our expenses paid mileage, food and lodging plus something for our time. We try to work something out which meets everyone's needs. We can get good deals on airline tickets if you need us to travel more than 200 miles. We can save you money by pairing up more than one workshop or presentation in the same area at the same time. Each year we go to pow wows in different parts of the country. Around the end of May 2008 we will be in Hilo, HI. for a Pow Wow if you wanted us to do a workshop we could schedule it right after or even before. We have put together some details for a pipe making workshop below please contact us for more information at pipe@iw.net
Pipe making Workshop
#1. 1 to 2 day Pipe making workshop - Will include pipe making and information on the history, stories, styles, importance of the pipe and its use. All tools and materials needed to complete a 4” pipe bowl and 12” stem. The stone cost an additional $10.00 a pound. Students will need 1 to 2 pounds of stone. Classes run 8 hours each for two days. Larger groups may need more time. Class includes all aspects of pipe making students will do everything from cutting out to finishing pipe during workshop.
#2. 2 to 4 hour Pipe making presentation - Will include pipe making and information on the history, stories, styles, importance of the pipe and its use. All tools and materials needed to complete a 4” pipe bowl and 12” stem. Precut blanks and stem blanks are included in price. Classes run 2 to 4 hours students will need to finish pipes on their own. Students will not complete pipe during class.
Cost $55.00 each student * class size 10-25 students
Plus travel, lodging and food for 2 instructors.
We strive to provide qualified presenters and one on one assistance to all students. Pipe making would only be appropriate for adults and older children. Younger children can easily complete our smaller projects with a cost of about $6.00 a student plus instructors fees. Pre cut out hearts, arrow heads or other shapes can be filed, sanded, and waxed in about 1-2 hours. Larger groups should be split up and will need more time so all students are given instruction needed to complete the project.