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, wood and rivercane has long held both practical and cultural importance. Rivercane specifically has been used to create tools, baskets, wind instruments and whistles.

The making of Native American 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 once living materials. Because of this, 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 creator behind Lumbee River Flutes, I handcraft all of my flutes and whistles using traditional methods and careful tuning. Every instrument is shaped individually, honoring the natural structure of the wood 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 traditional Native American flutes and whistles, offering instruments that connect people in very unique ways. 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