Traditions & Flute Making

For generations, the people of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina have lived in close relationship with the rivers, forests, and natural materials of the southeastern woodlands. Among these natural gifts, rivercane has long held both practical and cultural importance. It has been used to create tools, baskets, and instruments that carry breath, sound, and meaning.

The making of rivercane flutes and whistles is more than a craft. It is a continuation of an indigenous relationship between land, material, and spirit. These instruments are shaped by hand, guided by listening, patience, and respect for the natural form of the cane. Each flute and whistle carries its own voice, reflecting the place where it grew and the hands that shaped it.

Historically, flute and whistle instruments among Southeastern Native peoples were used for personal expression, reflection, courtship, and connection to the natural world. The sound of the flute carries on the wind, echoing through forests and along rivers, serving as both music and communication beyond words. Even today, these instruments remain tools of meditation, storytelling, and spiritual grounding.

As a citizen of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and the maker behind Lumbee River Flutes, I handcraft each rivercane flute and whistle using traditional inspiration and careful tuning. Every instrument is shaped individually, honoring the natural structure of the cane and allowing its true voice to emerge.

Flute making is a path of learning, patience, and responsibility. It requires respect for the material, understanding of sound, and a commitment to preserving traditional craftsmanship. Each finished instrument represents hours of shaping, tuning, and listening.

While anyone may learn to play the Native American style flute, authentic Native-made instruments hold cultural significance and are protected under the Native American Arts and Crafts Act of 1990. As a Lumbee artisan, I am committed to creating instruments that are honestly represented, traditionally inspired, and made with integrity.

Through Lumbee River Flutes, my goal is to preserve and share the voice of rivercane, offering instruments that connect people to breath, nature, and tradition. Every flute and whistle is not only an instrument, but a living expression of Lumbee heritage, river, and sound.

— Dylan Joseph Hays
Lumbee River Flutes