Clyde Sandifer
When I was a small child it was whispered there was American Indian blood running through my veins. During those times many people were ashamed of being all or part American Indian. Having a Great Grandmother that was a full blooded Choctaw was something my family seldom spoke of, a deep dark secret, locked and hidden in a closet with the key thrown away. However, as time went by I never forgot those whispers. I became proud of being a mixture of European and American Indian ancestry. The more I learn about Native culture the more I have come to understand my personality, demeanor and the way I feel about certain things. One of the things my genetic makeup has conveyed is that Mother Earth should be honored, respected, protected and appreciated for all she provides.
When the Native American Flute found my wife Birdie, while on a trip to St. Louis I was with her and the music called to me as well. Mark Holland was playing one of his beautiful flutes and alongside him was a percussionist using different instruments, wolf howler, drums, rattles, etc. I was really drawn to the percussion instruments and how they enhanced the Native American Flute.
I was enchanted and somewhere deep inside, my spirit called out to me and said, “Create these sounds; this is who you are and where you come from”. Do these things as your Grandfathers did before you. I was remembering. I went home still hearing the sounds and never forgetting the feeling I had experienced.
Later I met Twohawks who has become my brother and teacher as he plays the flute and teaches me things that continues to awaken my spirit. I am honored to make the sounds of the drums and the flutes as did my forefathers completing the circle as the music moves through my heart and our gatherings.
