The Pipemakers

Description

Award-winning true story of the few remaining Native Americans who create the sacred stone ceremonial pipes

They dig through 12 feet of solid rock the old way, with hand tools.  They mine the sacred red pipestone, (called Catlinite by the White Man).  With clean hearts, they carve and fashion the stone into the shapes of bears, eagles, and other effigies.  They make Peace Pipes for trade just as their ancestors had done for many generations before.  The come from many different tribes, but are recognized by none.  They are a vanishing breed.  They are “the Pipemakers”.

Filmed on location in Pipestone, Minnesota, this is the story of a diminishing group of Native Americans and their noble effort to continue the 1200 year old tradition of making pipes.