A Journey of Many Pipes

Born in Vermont, raised in France, Andre’s passion for Native Americans began at the age of seven and never stopped. Upon his return to the States in the mid-60’s, he learned that his paternal grandmother and great-grandmother were Native American.

In 1990, after many years and many books, his friend, Earth Life, introduced him to Grandmother Twylah Nitch, elder of the Wolf Clan Teaching Lodge of the Seneca Nation. The very next day, Grandmother held a ceremony and adopted Andre into the Wolf Clan Teaching Lodge. The following summer, on a journey to sacred sites, he met Charles Chips on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. During the visit, Charles told Andre he should have two pipes, thus confirming a vision Andre had earlier that year. Homeward bound, he stopped in Minnesota and acquired some pipe stone, thus began the Journey of Many Pipes.

Andre, who has never taken a sculpting class, says "My fingers hold the tools, The Great Mystery, The Grandmothers and Grandfathers do the work."

It is my hope to honor through this work, the people who have gone before; my Grandmother, Great Grandmother and all the Native People of this land, and keep the tradition alive.

Mitakuye Oyasin

Andre Way
Hamilton, Montana
andreway @ myartworkonline.com