KENNETH LITTLE HAWK (1936-2022)
Mi'kmaq/Mohawk

From Ken’s wife, Beverly:

Little Hawk passed peacefully in his own home and in his own bed on February 9, 2022.  After being hospitalized for three weeks, we rode home together in an ambulance. He was not able to stand or to talk. Minutes after we arrived home, I stood beside him touching his forehead as he silently went on his journey. Native blankets are on the walls and are covering the hospital equipment. Walls also have posters of him from past storytelling and music events. Some of his favorite Native artifacts hang on the walls. 

I wept with sadness though also with joy. After years of unbearable suffering, he wasn't suffering anymore. He is gone, but he will never leave us. He would surely want to hug each of you and tell us that his great hope is that we will make the world a better place. He would say he loved you.

LITTLE HAWK PROJECT: DO SOMETHING GOOD



One of Little Hawk's favorite quotes was "Grandmother said too much 'I' means too little 'WE'." As a tribute to Little Hawk we can work together. Take positive action. Help someone or something. So far, projects include WillowTree.org asking hundreds of people to do something good, planting trees where burned out trees now exist on public land in the Washington, DC area, cleaning a wooded area, teaching children to plant apple trees and care for them, planting flowers at a community garden, and a concert bringing musicians together (LH was a creative genius and he will be so happy to see musicians working together). 

PLEASE SUPPORT THE PROJECT WITH A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION:

TRIBUTES
Share your tributes/remembrances of Little Hawk via video, audio, photos or text by uploading files to drummerjohn.wetransfer.com.

Note and "In Rememberance" video tribute below from Ema at Ikhaya Studios: Lost a true brother today. Little Hawk was one of those remarkably *magnetic* human beings – when he was present, everyone just wanted to be around him (including me) as if, if you stood close enough, you just might absorb enough of his humanity, that you could learn to love a little deeper and trust a little more. The depth of that humanity (as well as his direct line to the ancestors) also informed his musicianship. The work we did together was always emotionally and spiritually deep, but also creatively fertile and BIG fun. I’m sure I’ll have more to share later, but for now, I cobbled together this remembrance from a photo shoot during the recording of our album "Relative." I love you and will miss you terribly mfo. Hamba ngoxolo mfowethu. Atiu Ugsisl.

From Frank Cipriani: Some of us are fortunate. As I feebly attempted to embark on a path of teaching my children and my community to love and protect their forest -- into our lives appeared a Grandfather for my children, for my town. He taught us the Mi'kmaq art of Facing East- storytelling. Last Wednesday (Feb. 9), at his home with his wife by his side, surrounded by beadwork, lovingly woven blankets, specially carved flutes and drums, Little Hawk flew from the nest of this plain of existence. But, like beadwork, each moment he spent on us, singing his songs with us, made both the gift and the reciever of gift. Thank you, Grandfather. Thank you, Grandfather. His wife, Beverly has requested that to honor Grandfather Little Hawk, that we embark upon the Little Hawk Project: Do Something Good. Let the person behind you on the checkout line with the cranky kid go first. Cut up the sixpack ring that could hurt the seagull. rescue the earthworm from the drying sidewalk. Smile at someone. One little carefully placed bead is what his legacy requires of those of us who love the earth.

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From Matoaka Little Eagle: Wishing you a beautiful journey, Ken. You had thunder in your voice and when you rumbled, you shook stories from the clouds and painted pictures in our imaginations. We had a lot of adventures together, singing in the Pura Fe Ensemble. Condolences to your family and friends. Now you will be thundering away with ancestors and our families and friends on the other side. It would not surprise me if you showed up in the aurora borealis Or in a springtime suite of songbirds. You would, of course, be singing bass, so it would be a mighty interesting song. Or you might be a shooting star, carrying wishes and dreams. Or maybe we'll hear you in the roar of a waterfall or in the soft ripple of a stream flowing over rocks or fallen branches. Or maybe we'll think of you in the silence of a still forest, even for a small moment, just long enough to rest our minds and bring peace. No matter where we will sense you, you will not be forgotten. Shine on!

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From Linda Wisner: Many years ago, at Kenny’s birthday celebration, he gifted me a hawk feather.  I still have that feather and think of him every time I see it.  Kenny was always sharing something, whether it was tangible like the feather or a story, music or song.  Little Hawk, with his wife Beverly, told stories and songs to the young and old, passing on knowledge and tradition to everyone he met, bringing joy and
understanding to those around him. Through these acts he brought the joy in his heart to those around him.  This will not end with his
passing.  We will continue to tell his stories and sing his songs. So beat your drums, lift your voice in song and dance with your heart to
keep raising his spirit and teachings for the world to hear. 

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Note and "Little Hawk Ascent" video tribute below from Gus Mancini (saxophonist and The Sultan Of Sonic Soul™): Totally heart broken that Ken has passed ... I loved him as so many have... he was a magnificent human being sharing his native culture of Love through his music and storytelling throughout the world. One notable Little Hawk contribution was to the Ken Burns Documentary, "The West," and all the many musicians he collaborated with. The indigenous children around the world loved him, his stories, and his joyful laughter was a magnet for them. Little Hawk always passed on the best of our humanity grounded in Love. He was totally without ego at all, selfless in everything he did... and having a DEEP sense of humor was a big part of Ken as well. Lastly: Ken Little Hawk will live in my heart and many hearts and he is now always just a loving thought away of what he brought and left into the world...

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From George Arnold Circling Eagle Tooks: One of Little Hawk’s messages at every program was to show “Love and Respect for each other.” I am honored to share “L – O – V – E, LOVE, A WORLD FULL OF LOVE” – from my album "A World Full of Love". I performed it for the first time on 9/11 while the Twin Towers were falling down, at the Oneida Indian Reservation with Little Hawk, Cherokee Activist, Ed Two Bears, and former Chief and Fire Keeper of the Ramapo Indian Nation, John Talking Leaves Powell. It delivers a powerful message!

>> Listen to George Arnold Circling Eagle Tooks' tribute to Little Hawk
from his album "A World Full of Love" (mp3)

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