About Us

Who we are
The Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of Pipemakers is a Tribal non-profit organization in Pipestone, Minnesota, that was formed in 1996 by local Native Americans and tribal leaders to protect and educate the public about the nearby pipestone quarries.

The Keepers founding president is Bud Johnston and VP Travis Erickson. They are both still active in the community, but retired. 

Due to time and age many members and volunteers to the Keepers have retired or passed in these recent years, and our hearts go out to the families and friends of those affected. Additionally, we have been reduced to one or two active workers in the store at a time.

Keepers have members all over the world — more than half are tribal members from over 35 different tribes.

Due to various recent world events, from Covid to War, the ability of this organization has been greatly hampered in its outreach. Hopefully, this can recover with time and work, but we need hands to do this. If you are interested in learning or working with us to help educate the public about native history and culture. Please contact us and we can work out ways to share this important knowledge.
400 N. Hiawatha Ave.
Pipestone, Minnesota 56164
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Keepers
​Store: 1-507-825-3734
Rona Johnston (mobile): 605-376-5712
​Pascal Quarrella (mobile) 605-496-4004

​Follow Pipekeepers
Keepers on Facebook
Keepers Tumblr blog
Rona Johnston on Facebook
Bud Johnston on Facebook
Bud Johnston on Twitter
Bud Johnston on MySpace
Volunteer for Pipekeepers

Our Goals

1) To archive the histories, stories, styles and uses of pipes by Native Americans

2) To bring together spiritual leaders, teachers, storytellers and artists to share their knowledge to the public.

3) To conduct classes on the arts and culture of various tribes and groups within Turtle Island (North America).

4) To promote unity and to bring together people from all walks of life.

5) To sponsor cultural awareness exchanges in the U.S. and abroad to promote and teach Native culture to other people
"The Great Spirit only sketches out the path of life roughly for all the creatures on earth, shows them where to go, where to arrive, but leaves them to find their own way to get there. He wants them to act independently according to their nature, to the urges of each of them."
Lame Deer, Lakota