Bryan Akipa, Dakota Sioux Flutist and Flute Maker

4335 Views

Bryan Akipa, a member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota Nation, is a self-taught flute maker, flute player and traditional woodcarver.

Bryan Akipa, Dakota Sioux flutist As a young man, he attended the Institute of American Indian Arts and studied fine arts with Oscar Howe at the University of South Dakota. After graduation, Bryan taught elementary school for seven years.

Since 1991, he has committed himself to his chosen art and craft, the cedar flute. In addition to being a premier Native American flute player, Bryan is internationally known for his craftsmanship of traditional flutes.

While he says that his knowledge of the flute is primarily self-taught, he also acknowledges the elders, relatives and friends that took the time to teach him about the flute. When one hears the depth and the age in the sound of his instruments, the importance of this tradition becomes quite apparent.

Bryan feels the experience of making his own flutes and learning the old songs has been nothing but a good blessing. His music, however, is made up of the old and the new, and he takes great pride in skillfully blending the traditional and contemporary.

According to Akipa, “The flute can be very relaxing and soothing. In olden times it was the music for lovers. The essence of wind, the melody of a red cedar flute, where it comes from and where it goes is a mystery. So is everyone born of the spirit of love.”

Mr. Akipa has recorded several albums. His CDs have been nominated for several Nammies (Native American Music Awards), including 1998 honors for The Flute Player album, 1999 Thunder Flute (also the Indie awards finalist), 2001 Eagle Dreams, 2002 Best Flutist, Best Male Artist. He was a featured player on My Relatives Say by Mary Louis Defender which won the 2000 NAMA for Best Spoken Word recording.