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.
KEN'S CELEBRATION OF LIFE CEREMONY: JUNE 4, 2022 (Many thanks to Renee Evans Esposito for photos)
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 "DO SOMETHING GOOD" concert on April 21st bringing musicians together near Woodstock, NY (LH was a creative genius and he will be so happy to see musicians celebrating together).
PLEASE SUPPORT THE PROJECT WITH A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION:
Note: Little Hawk always encouraged everyone to show respect by treating Mother Earth with consideration for The Seventh Generation to come. The Seventh Generation Principle is based on an ancient Iroquois philosophy that the decisions we make today should relate to the welfare and well-being of seven generations ahead.
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.
>> Listen to the February 13th tribute to Little Hawk from Gus Mancini and Doug Grunther on Radio Woodstock 100.1 FM (mp3)
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!
From Nephew Willi: The transition from the physical realm to eternity, does not diminish the love and respect I have for you.
From Jess LeVine & Jennifer Yannibelli: We had the greatest pleasure of sitting down and talking to our friend along the Swimming River Reservoir, outside Brookdale Community College (see video below). For over 20 years, he would come every semester and speak to our students. Lots of laughs, heartfelt moments, great wisdom, and the best hugs that emanated love, compassion, and strength. We were so fortunate to have him in our lives and he will always be a part of us.
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.
From Carla Rae in the March 2022 issue of Native Hoop Magazine: Our community has lost a beloved husband, great leader, master storyteller, musician, keynote speaker, elder, and dear friend.
Kenneth Little Hawk, MI’kmaq/Mohawk elder, passed quietly at his home on February 9 with his wife, Beverly, by his side. Kenneth and his wife Beverly have been dear personal friends of mine since we met, working on a short film together called “The Caretaker” by Jessie D’Aiello. Little Hawk was not only a dear friend, but also an advisor, guide, and example of how to live life with kindness, respect, honor and love. He may not have known it, but he was like a father figure to me reminding me of my own father who passed away many years ago. My heartbeat is to be an example of his character in all that I put my hand and heart to do.
While hearts are broken and grieved by his passing and journey, his energy remain strong through his heartbeat of love and caring that he poured out to the world around him. Through his teaching work, music, speaking, and life's essence, Little Hawk shared his heartbeat of DO SOMETHING GOOD to everyone he encountered. With that, there will be coming soon, through the gathering of many who knew him, the Little Hawk Project: DO SOMETHING GOOD. See the progress here on his website and donate to the cause of DO SOMETHING GOOD. Many will share Little Hawk's vision, in their own way, to give honor to him and to DO SOMETHING GOOD for the world around us. Please follow the threads on social media and Little Hawk's website for more information on the Little Hawk Project: DO SOMETHING GOOD. Please feel free to share the Little Hawk Project: DO SOMETHING GOOD with your network.
Thank you/Nia:wen,
Shine On,
Carla Rae
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...
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)
From Monmouth University Students: Monmouth university students in the US Immigration Perspectives class heard about the DO SOMETHING GOOD Project. They collected a dozen garbage bags of new or slightly used clothing (most still had tags), raised money and gave out backpacks for newly arrived immigrant children as part of the DO SOMETHING GOOD Project. Below is a photo of one girl getting her backpack filled with goodies
From Ken's wife, Beverly: It is important to know what a very wise man had on his mind as he lay dying. During the final weeks and final moments what Little Hawk talked about was love. He didn't complain about his physical suffering. What he said to me and employees at the hospital, and anyone he talked to, was that he loved them. He gave all of his love. All of it. To everyone. His final words were "I love you." As I stood by his bed in the hospital when he could no longer talk, I only said one thing to him, but I repeated it over and over and over, perhaps hundreds of times: "I love you, I love you, I love you." Such an honor--such an honor to have served with him!
"I LOVE YOU!"—Ken Little Hawk
"A Little Story on Giving" from Ken's wife, Beverly:
What did an elderly, homeless woman teach me? I remember a thin and very fragile lady I met many years ago. At that time, I sold antique and vintage items at an outdoor NYC flea market. Each weekend she came to me and I gave her some money. But, the amount I gave her was never much. Just enough to help her that day.
So one day at the flea market, a particularly hot, sweaty day, the homeless woman came by. She never spoke, ever. She always looked weak and tired and hungry. I gave her money and she slowly walked away. Later, in the hot sun, she came back to me and handed me an ice cream cone, and the ice cream was melting and running down her hand. I took the ice cream cone from her and as the ice cream started dripping down my hand, I thanked her for the gift.
I had thought I was doing the giving, but it was she—the nameless, silent woman that had given so much. She probably gave almost all she had, another moment, another exhausting effort, all on a miserably hot day. And, let’s not forget, she also gave some of her money. Yes, indeed, receiving what she gave taught me what the real value of giving is. Giving is also receiving and receiving is giving as well.
One’s teacher can be anyone anywhere. Yes, I cry when I tell this story. I never saw her again. And, that’s all I learned that hot day and now am sharing in A Little Story About Giving. I am giving each of you this lesson I’ve learned about doing something good. This is the moment we have. This moment is where the power is. Opportunities are everywhere we see them—everywhere.
