A little bit about Charlie Mato-Toyela, Founder of Blue Bear Flutes

[@obretjada4213]

Im from Uganda and ive watched your videos since i was 17. Thank You!

[@michaelward2858]

Charlie, to me you are an authentic human being with a rich Cherokee cultural history. My brother in law is a member of the Chikasaw based on a Grandmother a few generations back that signed the Doss rolls before entering Oklahoma. Your sharing of your background is appreciated along with great flutes. Cultures that have positive values and thrived bring useful knowledge and understanding for all. Charlie, Thank you for sharing. Respectfully, Michael L. Ward

[@richard-music53]

This country (and this world) needs so many more people like Charlie Mato-Toyela. His manner of thinking, if it were in all of us, would be a rejuvenating tonic to society. A person who knows the value of sharing knowledge for the greater benefit of everyone. Emphasizing that which is positive and consciously refusing to pay attention to the negative. So unlike the mainstream of society that is unfortunately constantly fueled by the mass media to make us aware of all the bad on a daily basis. He knows where he came from and values that knowledge; a personal characteristic probably stemming from his Native American background. Imagine a world in which everyone tended to think this way, and taught their children from a young age to do the same. As he says, "The more fires, the more light." Best wishes to you and your family as you continue on your journey.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thank you so very much for your kind words my friend! After reading your post, I had a very difficult time coming up with a response that could show my appreciation. The only thing that I know to say is "shhh... they're going to take me away! They're coming to take me away!" ~Anne Ramsey A million thank you's my friend! Words can't express...

[@susanbailey36]

Thank you for sharing. You help to make this world a better place. Keep lighting those fires.

[@banjo1957]

Hi Charlie your family history is very interesting, I really don’t know much about mine but that’s ok . Thank you for what you do , your flutes bring a great deal of happiness into the world. Have a beautiful peaceful night.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thank you! I appreciate your kind words!

[@lennieblue]

My great grandmother x3 born in California, Native American, nothing else known about her (other than her name) or family origins. It’s great to know your roots. Enjoyed the video, thanks. I just recently began playing NA flute and like it a lot.

[@mikegillihan9944]

Great family history, thanks for sharing! We have some family on roles and some that haven’t pursued it but probably should. Also Cherokee, Oklahoma origin. ❤️

[@ReWildYourSoul]

What started with a purchase of one of your flutes, has grown into an obsession for me. I really appreciate the information you offer Charlie. Buying a flute from you a few years ago acted as a scintilla, sparking my desire to create these instruments. I have been making them almost solely from a wild edible/medicinal plant that grows in my area. There is a video of me playing on of my flutes on my youtube page. Thanks my friend and be well!

[@20Hikecdt23]

A beautiful family, Charlie. Thanks for sharing!

[@prism223]

I'm from the Southeast too, and you can always tell you're back home when you hear the cicadas singing!

[@davidblack4379]

Thank you do much for sharing Charlie.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

+David Black You're welcome David, thank you for watching.

[@lukeedgardencarnacionalvir3868]

Awesome story.. Muy buena historia de tu vida, Dios te bendiga..

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Gracias mi amigo!

[@clydemelissadarrow7947]

i love the fact that you know where you come for and know your roots and you still fallow yours roots awsome

[@jerrybarr7606]

hI Charlie : several months ago I discovered you on you-tube, i learned and built several bamboo,pvc flutes, and love it my granddaughter gets hers out and plays with it quite often, watching this vid ,about you, brought back many memories of growing up in Flathead country Montana,(polson, ronan) my mother took me on a journey to Missoula by bus, and somewhere on the way an Indian In full dress , long feather headdress, clear to his lower legs ,got on the bus,(this was early fiftys, of course i was into cowboy and Indians @ 6-7 yrs old, and i was terrified according to mom, anyway he went and sat in the back of the bus, and i of course kept peeking at him, he was on the way to one of the bigger pow-wows, i didnt realize why he sat on the back of the bus, or why he didnt speak to anyone, anyway i feel i was very privalaged to have seen that ,wish i cud have understood and spoke with him, might have learned something more, always thought he was a big chief with that long feather headdress, any way thanks for sharing yourself and family, i turned 71 on the 14 of august,2015

[@joanneleclair5170]

I love all of your videos. I always learn something good from them.

[@GoMeditate]

Thanks for sharing this! I'm North Alabama born and bred, and of Cherokee descent as well. Very interesting to get to know you a little better.

[@mothersgauri4137]

So glad I "stumbled" across this video. Wonderful...very interesting and inspiring. It's now 2017 and so glad you are still there doing what you do !!!!! Blessings !

[@danahoecker3308]

hey i love your book i ordered and more important i love your videos.you are true blue and you gave me the desire to build many flutes.since i got your book i have invested in a large pile of tool.i have a router table called a triton work center and a drill press torch drills sanders and a lot of exacto knives super glue works the best.you taught me i can do good and my flutes are getting better daily as i make two or more every day.some. day i will learn to play them even.lol.i use a lot of bamboo and with my router i have begun making simple pine flutes as the wood is real easy t p come by.i have some iron wood i will build into a flute soon and i re keyed my cedar flute which was myfirst.you do not leave anydirection out and i thank you.by the way i made a slurpee straw flute.it plays great from your directions.i am proud to be as your student.i am able to make some good sounding flutes now.thank you for sharing your knowledge.i will learn to play with your videos and charts.i love your works.dana hoecker..aka vision.peace

[@mikehampersr9560]

The more fires -- the brighter the light , a wonderful light you are for inspiration to us all in our flute making and playing -- God Bless Charlie -- thank you for sharing -- I also was interested in you back ground--

[@BlueBearFlutes]

+Mike Hamper Sr Thank you Mr. Hamper!

[@mrbrown6421]

"Ignoring negativity." It is enlightening to realize its an option. Why some people burrow into darkness is beyond me. When conversation degrades in that direction, I leave. Life provides many options, and few people realize they can pick and choose. I lay down at night, and push that stuff away, just focusing on the good parts of the day. Put the brain in the right gear, before falling asleep. Thanks again Charlie. North Central Florida

[@imspiredd9164]

thanks for sharing your hard work to teach others in a weeks ,,,thank you charlie god bless

[@BlueBearFlutes]

+INSPIRE D YOU NIVERSE Thanks, I'm happy to share!

[@trailokyasundari]

You are awesome person and big inspiration!

[@philipmoscatello7900]

thank you for sharing charlie

[@henrycems]

Good to meet you sir. Looking forward to the flute I have on order.

[@kukla608]

Thank You !

[@joanneleclair5170]

Thank you.

[@puppypower3325]

Wado my brother. You're a great guy! Don't be like me and stress out over everything. lol

[@kennethsmith1744]

My family are from Tennesee and Nc Ky Va Cherokee on both sides of my family also Pohattan and Nanticoke theres others in my family but dont know what tribe

[@BrianTownsendFundy]

I feel deeply affected by the sense of history and continuity I felt in your video. I certainly feel the lack of that. I remember a few years back visiting with an Acadian friend in the town where he lived. He gave me a bit of a scenic tour, and along the way he would mention, there’s my uncle’s place, or there’s my brother’s place, and my parents live just beyond there, and my cousin lives here, and there’s.... I soon got the sense that his family roots were deeply embedded in that place. Then I started thinking about my own family. My father’s side living 3000 miles one way and my mother’s family living 3000 miles the opposite direction. I had very little contact with extended family growing up. And now I live 1000 km from my parents. (Notice the shift from miles to km which indicates the time period). But as I get older I realize I’m lacking that sense of belonging anywhere. My closest relatives are all thousands of km away. Somehow I ended up building my house in a beautiful quiet place, exactly what I wanted for many years, but now I feel the lack of community and if I could no longer drive my car I would really be stuck. The close friends I have tend to live far away. We have all built our little empires and feel resistant to change, but sooner or later we must pull up stakes and get together.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Hey Brian, thank you very much for your very kind statement! I believe with regards to that feeling of continuity and belonging, it is something that you typically create yourself. These days I live two or three hours away from two sisters and 14 hours away from another. My dearest and closest friends in the world are likewise, about 3,000 miles. I do have a few close friends who are only 500 miles away however that does create difficulty in seeing them regularly. My neighbors are pretty nice, not that we have many and they are not nearby. Things change in life and for the most part it is what you make of it. Also, my friend, I find that people who are very verbose and descriptive like the two of us tend to know our own feelings pretty well which make us the bane of some and envy of others. it seems to me that you were on a good path which I can appreciate.

[@robsol12]

My grand mother's name was Opal, and her Father's name was Ism( ice m) henry. Half Cherokee from Indiana.

[@ParabolicNorth]

Very interesting! I wished I would have known about the small group you had back at Tate. My roots being from the MS Choctaw Nation. So...do you still play the Trombone??? Haha Stay safe brother...I love your channel!

[@clydemelissadarrow7947]

you are a great insperation to me

[@GreenShiva-Lightfoot]

That'll do Charlie Mato-Toyela...that'll do just fine.

[@kennethsmith1744]

Hicks Lowe Roe Skaggs Lester Ledford Rains Cloud Doublehead Brown Hatchett Bass Hail Clark Pierce are some my family names my great granny used to eat Red headed Woodpeckers I think she chewed tobbaco Donadagohvi