March 14, 2023 – Tuesday 6:30 PM – Click on the date for more logistical information.
Michelle Connally, 2018
CEDARS, CURSED BY MANY ACCLAIMED BY A FEW
Jay explains the benefits of the Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) to birds, wildlife and humans as well as some other not so well known facts. The cedar tree has an interesting flute evolution history with many Native American Nations. Jay will also describe some of the negative aspects of red cedars in our backyards, farms, ranches, and our beautiful backland prairie.
NATIVE CEDAR FLUTES ARE NOT HARD TO PLAY AND HAVE MANY HEALTH BENEFITS
Native American flutes traditionally were made of the Eastern Red Cedar, a tree which has special flute history. Jay shares his knowledge of the flute, passing on what he has learned from others about the instrument, explaining its tradition, history, and use. He will play some of the old songs recorded on wax cylinders now in the Library of Congress, Smithsonian. His flutes are made by local artists Jerome Poyer, a Navajo flute maker, Lancaster, Tx. and Butch Hall a woodworker, flute maker, from Weatherford TX. The flutes are made of our native red cedar, using the heartwood of the cedar.
Jay is a BPTMN Member, Class of 2019, volunteering at Clymer Meadow and Wylie Prairie. He is a 5th generation Texan, growing up at Lake Texoma and DFW area. Jay worked at Dallas College, Richland campus, for 36 years, Office of Student Life. The office provided programs and clubs for students, including the All Nations Indian Club, and the Sierra Student Coalition. These student clubs started the Native American Pow Wow tradition at Richland, which became an annual event. Jay’s background is in art, photography, he played guitar in unusual Deep Elm rock bands. He has a BFA in Visual Communication from UNT.
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