ARTIST BIO

Tiokasin is a member of the Cheyenne River Lakota (Sioux) Nation of South Dakota. He holds Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Native American Studies and Communications. Tiokasin has been a powerful influential energy in the perseverance of the cedar wood flute tradition and presently keeps a flute made from 600-year-old wood. He has combined the insightful "spoken word" with the transcendence of the cedar flute for 30 years. He spoke, as a teenager, at the United Nations Conference on Human Rights International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in Geneva, Switzerland.

He participated in several occupations including Wounded Knee, SD in 1973, Lyle Point, WA, Western Shoshone, NV and Big Mountain, AZ and has been actively educating people who live on Turtle Island (N. America) and overseas since that time.

He is a survivor of the "Reign of Terror" from 1972-1976 on the Pine Ridge Lakota Reservation, the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs Boarding and Church Missionary School systems designed to "kill the Indian and save the man".

My ancestors, whom I always acknowledge and accept responsibility for their words, are Chief Gall (Pizi), Yellow Hawk (Cetan Zi), Swift Eagle (Wanbli Luzan), American Horse (Tasunke Wasicu), Bear Awake (Mato Nakpa) and Ghost Horse (Tasunka Wanagi)

Tiokasin's offerings (45 to 90 minutes) present traditional and contemporary Lakota stories, flute and vocal songs, and Plains sign language. His flute and vocal performances are rich with informative and inspirational stories of historical and modern-day American Indian culture.

The Lakota flute draws, its voice from the spirit found within each of us, of Northern and Southern Plains, Woodlands and Southwest songs and prayers. The siyotanka (voice big) combines seven notes: four represent the directions, one represents the heavens, another represents the Earth, and the seventh note represents the place where the six come together. The four directions are represented by the four colors, black red, yellow and white; which are in turn represented by the four seasons, the four winds, the four human races and the four stage of human beings.

Performances:

NeworldTv.com - Emerging Artists Concert Series (Online Video)

Presentations:

Educational

• From pre-school through college level and beyond, Tiokasin's popular school presentations are tailored to the needs, interests, and developmental level of students.

• Lectures focus on American Indian issues, Values and Belief Systems, Cultural Practices, Social Structures, and Education.

• Children's presentations involve participatory and interactive music, dancing and storytelling.

• Substance Abuse Prevention, Self and Community Empowerment, Motivational discussions and clarity involving traditional thinking.

Professionals, Special Interest Groups, & General Public

Tiokasin's presentations allow thoughts to delve into coexisting issues, problems and challenges within a milieu of traditional American Indian culture and history. The teachings are neither out-dated nor out-of-step with the modern, always drawing strength from a traditional past. Adapting his seminars to the needs of the participants, Tiokasin beckons the traditional songs, stories and flute arias from the elements. His words of Indigenous insight and global concern are offered though the experience of "living with and understanding two worlds.

Discography:

Ghosthorse - KSA

Website:

www.firstvoicesindigenousradio.org