Jim's carvings

Sacred Pipes by James Medicine Tree

Ceremonial Buffalo Pipe, carved for a Salish Tribal Council Elder

Contact me with questions or to commission a carving at: jim@jimtree.com

In the words of my Chief, Bob Strong Bear, "If everyone had a personal Pipe and used it properly in prayer, we would truly have peace and tolerance in this world." A powerful claim to be sure, but once you understand what the Pipe is, you may just agree.

Please note; for those who question the photographing and writing of these sacred things, please take the time to read through this entire site.

I only sell Pipes on a commission, case by case basis. I only create Pipes for those that I am directed to do so. I also sell sculpture, my Books and Teaching CD's. All Commissioned works are started as soon as a 50%, non-refundable deposit is received. Prices range from around $200.00 to $600.00 USD. It takes approximately a month to finish a Pipe, depending on the intricacy of its carving and the order in which the commission is received.

One purpose of this site is to inform those interested in some basic information about the Sacred Pipe, which is a way of life, not just a artifact or cultural item. The difference between the Ceremonial Pipe and a personal Sacred Pipe are also addressed here.

Bear Clan ceremonial Pipe, black steatite with catlinite eyes. $333.00 USD (sold)

From the introduction to the book, "The Way of the Sacred Pipe" , is the following explanation why I have put these things into print. My exposer to the way of the Pipe has been through the traditions of the Cherokee, Annishanobie, Lakota and Apache nations. I can only relate to you from my experience and those who have shared this wonderful gift, the Pipe, with me.

Eagle Bear Pipe. $444.00 USD (sold)

Mohawk Turtle/bear clan Elbow Pipe. $333.00 USD (Sold)

Husband and wife set of Raven Pipes. White and Black steatite bowls, Sumack stems. $700.00 USD Sold

Flying Falcon of Green marbled Steatite. Redwood stem with white steatite mouthpiece. Sold: $444.00

Custom beadwork and pipebags by Suzanne are available as well. Ask for a quote.

Examples of Beadwork created by Suzanne

Deer Antler Bowl Pipe. Redwood stem with porcupine quill work medicine wheel and carved bone owl. Sold: 222.00 USD

Personal Owl Pipe, Catlinite with deer antler mouthpiece. $210.00 USD (sold)

Preface from the book, "The Way of the Sacred Pipe" by Jim tree.

Traditionally, understanding the way of the Sacred Pipe came from being brought up in a society where its use was a prominent part of daily life. The way of the Pipe was taught to someone slowly through continued participation in ceremonies where it was used. It took time and commitment to learn all that was needed in order to care for and use it properly. It was and is knowledge that should be passed on carefully and prayerfully.

Recently however, the Sacred Pipe has become available world wide to people who have had little or no real exposure to what it is or what it can do. People are buying pipes in shops and over the Internet regularly. Some may have learned a little about the way of the Pipe by seeing it used at a ceremony or through a book but seldom does this make them aware of what the Pipe really is. I have researched the books that are available about the Pipe, some of them very good, but have found none that address the nature of the living pipe.

There are those which tell how to do ceremony, or some tell some basics of the care of a pipe, but none that I have found explain the things I that I feel are vital for anyone who wishes to use the Pipe. Because of the currant situation, I feel it has become important that this information become available in written form with hopes that in doing so, it may help stem the trend of misuse of this sacred and powerful gift we received from the Great Mystery so long ago. It should be understood that using the Pipe is a way of life, not something done just once and a while. The misuse or even the lack of proper care can cause many severe and detrimental things to happen, just as the proper use and care can lead you to becoming the highest expression of the unique wonder you were created to be.

While it is unfortunately true that we are in a time of unprecedented misuse of the sacred teachings of the American Indian peoples worldwide, there are also those who felt it important to pass on these teachings, before they are lost or distorted, through the written word.

Nicolas Black Elk

These examples include such respected men as Nicolas Black Elk, Frank Fools Crow and Dr. Charles Eastman to name just a few.

We are now in the prophesied “Age of the Pipe” and the Pipes are already spreading around the earth, should we not do what we can to insure they are cared for as best as possible? In writing this book, I do so in hopes that I may honor these men and their example as well as the spirit of the Sacred Pipe itself.

James Medicine Tree, January 2004

Master Pipe Carver, Adam Fortunate Eagle and

Jim Tree at Pipestone Nat'l Monument quarries, Aug. 2000

According to many Native American prophecies, we are now in the "age of the Sacred Pipe". These Pipes are appearing around the world to assist us in the times of transition we face, both personally and as a planet. It has been said that the day would come when the Pipes would be in every land forming a "web" of inter-connecting influence for the benefit of all of creation. We are seeing this come true more and more every day.

Top row: Personal Pipes, Bear Butte and Owl in Tree. Middle: Personal Turtle Clan Pipe. Bottom: Ceremonial Bear Clan Pipe. All of these Pipes have been gifted to Pipe holders

Jim carves traditional animal effigies {totems} and Pipes mainly in the Cherokee effigy style.

Disc style effigy Pipe. $290.00 USD (gifted to Pipe holder)

Flying Phoenix Pipe bowl out of Red Pipestone with Turquois Eyes. $555.00 USD (Sold)

Personal Frog effigy Pipe, Black Steatite with turquois inlay in Blue Pine stem.

$295.00 USD (sold)

Personal Red Pipestone Pipe with Redwood stem and Pipestone mouthpiece.

Big Medicine, $100.00 USD (sold)

The effigies are available for sale to anyone, Pipes, with the exception of the non-functional ones described later, are only created on a case by case request. The materials used have been obtained according to our ancient traditions, gathered by hand with honors and gifts offered back to our Mother Earth for her provision. I use mainly the red pipestone from Minnesota and black pipestone from Canada but can carve out of other kinds of stone by request. The Pipes pictured here have never been smoked or "awakened" and in my tradition may be displayed fully assembled. Once awakened they are never display to the public.

Contact me here if you would like to discuss commissioning a carving for you.

jim@jimtree.com

The Non-functional Pipe pictured above, "Transformation", was donated and sold during a fund raising auction to assist those going through cancer treatments for $600.00 USD

Thunder Pendant, White Steatite inlayed with Red Pipestone. $85.00 USD (sold)

Thunder Heart series Pendant, catlinite inlay and Turquoise. $85.00 (sold) Howling Wolf effigy, Starheart series. Pipestone with Turquoise inlay. $122.00 USD (sold)

Horse Effigy Pipe. Rose Steatite bowl from Texas, Bacodie wood stem from Brazil, Mule Deer antler mouthpiece. $444.00 USD. (Sold)

Personal Pipe, Owl in Tree. $385.00 USD (gifted to a Pipe holder)

In my tradition, once a Pipe has been brought into service by smoking, it must never be put on display or assembled unless it is to be used in prayer. To do so is to start a process which must find completion; if not in the intended way it may find expression in ways detrimental to the one who assembled it. I makes personal prayer Pipes, Ceremonial Pipes as well as non-functional pipes that are works of art for display. The non functional pipes are made from stone that has flaws which would make it unusable for ceremony. Effigies and other sculptures are made from left over pieces of stone or pieces that could not otherwise be used for Pipes.

Flying Eagle personal Pipe, a Blackfoot couples wedding present. $385.00 (sold)

Adam and Uncle Raven preparing for a Pipe awakening ceremony.

Having a Pipe given to you or buying one does not make you a "Pipe carrier". To become one who cares for a Ceremonial Pipe takes years of training and carries great responsibility with it. It is a life of service and sacrifice, not an office or title. It is important to understand that it is the Pipe that has the Medicine or power, not the person who cares for it.

Another Turtle effigy Pipe, cedar stem with antler mouthpiece. $389.00 USD (gifted to a sundancer)

A Woman's "Moon Time" Pipe. Bowl and mouthpiece made of Elk Antler, stem made of redwood with fur trim. $222.00 USD (donated to a Grandmothers lodge)

The Pipes made for display, such as the one below, have the smoke hole sealed so that there is no path for the "breath of life" and the stem is permanently fixed to the bowl. Since the pipe will never "breath" or be awakened and thus become a sacred instrument of prayer, it may be displayed in an honorable way as a work of art. I also make some of these display pipes as replicas of old Pipes that are on display in museums and galleries. These are offered to the museum for just the cost of the materials to encourage the return of the original to the Tribe or family it came from for proper care. As mentioned previously, many of these replicas are made from stone that has flaws that would make them unusable in ceremony, but still honor the beauty of the sacred stone.

"Flight of the Phoenix", a non functional Pipe made for display. $444.00 USD (sold)

All work is done by hand without power tools and each effigy or Pipe is a one of a kind work of sacred art.

WADO! {Thank you} for visiting this site.

This site is dedicated to the memory of Grandmother Lillian "Windrider" Nevarez,

Maya "Grandmother", Pipe holder and Honorary Member of the Cherokee Medicine Society.

Please feel free to contact me here through e-mail with questions about the Sacred Pipe or to discuss commissioning a work for you.