LONNIE HAMILTON
Lonnie is a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and has been trained in the craft of bow making by a full blood Elder, Mike Berryhill, who has been honored as a Living Legend by his tribe. Mike was the Cvkotakse Haya (Bow Maker) and considered a master of traditional bow making in the style of the Muscogee people. Mike asked and blessed Lonnie to carry on his traditional bow making style in 2010 with the intention of continuing this ancient craft by teaching the next generations so this way will not be lost.
Lonnie has lead bow making workshops for five years, in Oklahoma, on the Window Rock reservation (July ’14), and in West Virginia in April, as well as individual instruction.
Over 90 people have learned this craft since the first class held by Mike Berryhill in 2009 where Lonnie was one of 30 students and became one of the instructors.
“There is much more to this than simply making a bow, it is about connection with the wood which I consider a relative, and a deeper sense of connection with our Ancestors,” says Lonnie.
Lonnie has lead bow making workshops for five years, in Oklahoma, on the Window Rock reservation (July ’14), and in West Virginia in April, as well as individual instruction.
Over 90 people have learned this craft since the first class held by Mike Berryhill in 2009 where Lonnie was one of 30 students and became one of the instructors.
“There is much more to this than simply making a bow, it is about connection with the wood which I consider a relative, and a deeper sense of connection with our Ancestors,” says Lonnie.
