Charlie Mato-Toyela

2017 Nr. 053 Cherokee flute no. 054 Eagle Flute

Charlie says on his website: Mato-Toyela literally means "Bear-Blue" or Blue Bear as we say these days and it's our family name. Our name reflects not only what we do, but also who we are and defines our place in the world. The bear is for most Native American people a medicinal animal that represents healing and understanding of the use of medicinal plants around us. The word "toyela" contains in it the siouan word "tō" which means blue, but in fact in this regard a color of the medicine wheel means the inward projected spiritual direction, but also the direction outward to the forces of the mind. universe. Charlie's family is Lakota/Ojibwae and Kuna from his mother's family and he is a registered Cherokee from his father's side.

Cherokee whistle.

These small Native American Flutes have been historically documented as Cherokee specific, but while Charlie learned to make them from his Cherokee grandfather, he notices that many different cultures have used them today. Its small but their beautiful sound is so wonderful