Hawk Henries
In addition to being the proud father of Sierra Henries, Hawk Henries is an accomplished musician, storyteller and maker of flutes carved from wood he carefully selects from his Eastern Woodlands traditional homelands. Hawk blends his carving skill and musical acuity to create an instrument as beautiful as it sounds. It is skill that is fueled by his symbiotic relationship with the natural world around him often captured in stunning photographs from birds in flight to the unassuming black bear on the trail. The hobbyist photographer has a remarkable eye for the innate integrity of wildlife that translates into his work.
Hawk’s Nipmuc lineage helped give form and voice to his thoughts, feelings and relationship to the world around him. Ceremony and other social traditions influenced both his personal relationships as well as his life work.
Over the years Hawk has been invited to present his music and share his words in places such as Harvard Divinity School, North Eastern University, Harvard Graduation, Brown University, Abbe Museum, National Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian Museum). Many churches and religious organizations have invited him to present at conferences and other events.
Through the years Hawk has also been a return invitee to many venues such as:
Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow — 19 years
New Orleans Jazz Festival — 3 years
Northfield Conference — 7 years
New Years by the Bay — 16 years
First Night Boston — 2 years
Camp Chrysalis for Children and Families effected by A.I.D.S — 5 years…
As one of a relatively small number of Native flute makers who continue in the tradition of using only hand tools and fire, Hawk’s work embodies his commitment to the revitalization and preservation of these skills. His flutes are now part of museum collections and have been a part of an exhibit which traveled the country.
He recently applied for and was awarded a grant from the New England Foundation for the Arts to share his flute making skills in Native communities in New England with one of the long term goals being to find someone who he could share these skills with ~an apprentice.
In 2006 Hawk was invited to participate in the commemoration of John Smith and the founding of Jamestown, Virginia. There was a contingent of representatives from England also participating. After listening to Hawk’s music as well as his spoken passion for using the knowledge from shared past experience to make a healthier world for our children, he was invited to England the following year.
In England during their commemoration of John Smith, Hawk visited with many schools and participated in historically important assemblies of political dignitaries. He also has been commissioned by one of England’s premier orchestras, the London Mozart Players, to create a piece of music with which they would play in concert together.
Artist’s statement:
I'm gazing out the window as a heavy Snow blankets everything with beauty. Slate-colored Juncos, Mourning Doves, Chickadees and many other song birds seem to rely on the Turkeys, who are scratching the ground for seed, to uncover places for them to get some snacks while Red and Gray Squirrels are determined to find their own.
This flurry of activity outside my window inspires me to finally write to express how grateful I am for the experiences had while staying at the Weidlinger House.
Earlier in the Summer when my daughter Sierra mentioned the possibility of a two-week retreat on Cape Cod I thought it sounded too good to be true. To rest and be inspired was how Sierra described the purpose of the retreat...food and travel stipend included. This was beyond anything I could imagine to be true yet my hope grew that it was!
In 32 years of being an "artist" an offer like this has never happened. This is why I was so unsure that it would become a reality. Even as Sierra and I were enroute to the Cape I asked her if it was really happening...
October is such a beautiful time of year especially the latter part when Trees are shedding their clothing and the warm weather visitors, both Winged and two legged, are heading to warmer climes. A frenetic energy can be felt as plant, bird, animal and insect prepare for the coming Cold Season.
When we arrived at the Weidlinger House it was difficult to contain our excitement! Somewhat surprising to me was feeling "at home" when we entered the house. Stepping out onto the narrow porch overlooking the pond caused a loud WOW! to find its way out of my mouth. We lit Sweetgrass and unpacked our bags...being here was such a gift, a blessing and we were beyond grateful!
The morning chill was made warm by the beauty of Carolina Wren song in the bushes, Osprey whistling as they hunted for a breakfast of Bass and, of course, a cup of hot coffee and my pipe...
To rest and be inspired was the purpose of this retreat but during the first few days I found it difficult to rest. Sunrise at the Ocean, Humpback and Fin Whales spouting off shore while Gray Seals swam close to the beach. Gulls and various Birds dotted a rolling green Sea...
Our frenetic excitement soon began to calm, our mornings on the deck turned into afternoons with block of wood and carving knife in hand. Evenings saw the fireplace aglow, take out dinner and a quick trip in search of Sunsets and Whales before a warm cup of Lady Grey tea or ice cream and a few pages of The Outermost House before sleep.
It's difficult to feel rested after being forced to hike miles and miles across mountainous dunes and down steep cliffs, so exhausted that all you can do is sit next to a blazing fire, roast hotdogs and make smores while sharing stories and laughter with strangers who feel like old friends...ok not really miles and miles and there were stairs to the beach but the rest is not exaggerated.
The upper Cape has always had a place in my heart. My first visit was when I was about 12 maybe 13 and I recall feeling like I would someday love to live there. Visits there happened as much as possible over the years but most were only 2 or 3 days long. To have the opportunity to spend two weeks was something I could not imagine even while it was happening and to be able to share this time with my daughter, who, now in her mid-thirties, loves it equally as much was amazing.
I am smiling a broad smile as I write this because my intention was to be brief and simply say thank you but I am not able to do both, be brief and adequately express my gratitude to Peter, Jenny and Paula along with all who made this possible.
Sierra and I stopped at some of our favorite spots as we headed down Cape. At Fort Hill we made one last look over the dunes for Whales then we both sighed as we rounded the elbow and headed toward the canal. Large schools of bait fish being chased by Striped Bass, Razorbills and various Gulls tempted us to prolong the inevitable...
One might ask if two weeks of being in such a place of beauty with new friends who feel like old friends can be restful. I would have to answer "no" it is not restful at all. Restorative and rejuvenating, without question, is how I would describe it.
As for inspiration well that can show itself in many different ways at different times...
It is around zero degrees as I am finishing this thank you note. Turkeys, Goldfinches, Chickadees and Mourning Doves are visible from the window where I am sitting. They are searching and scratching through hard crusted Snow for seeds scattered. Some will be found and eaten while others will germinate when the warmth of Spring arrives.
Thank you All!
Blessings
Hawk Henries