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Thesis May 2016 Jake R Kaehne.pdf (866.87 KB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

The Path of the Wind: An Instrumental Bridge across Cultures through the Native American Flute

Kaehne, Jake Robert
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1460054559

Abstract Details

2016, Master of Music (MM), Bowling Green State University, Music Ethnomusicology.
There are cultural differences between Native American and non-Native people in regards to education methods, history, folklore and ceremonies. The Native American flute, with its modern adaptations, has helped bridge some of these differences. In this thesis, I describe the modern musical aspects of the Native American flute, and why these characteristics were a key reason Bemidji State University chose this flute as a gift to the Leech Lake Tribal College as a symbol of their strong, continuing, and mutually beneficial relationship. I research the history of Ojibwe education, the gifting discourse, and Ojibwe cultural gifting to set the foundation of my thesis. I then proceed to express the thoughts of key individuals involved in the particular gifting event. Last, I discuss music books/packets to further demonstrate how the Native American flute fits into both Native American and Western culture. The research obtained expresses how Ojibwe traditions are still alive and important to the culture, but also shows that teachings of music are linked to Western methods including pitches, Western notation, and repertoire. The flute is also tied to Western culture through its ability to be played alongside Western instruments. These examples validate how the flute was the perfect gift to express healing, acceptance, and a bonding of Native and non-Native people in education. My findings indicate that the gifting ceremony that took place between BSU and the LLTC was a rectifying moment between Native American and Western cultures. Gifting is a way to build social bonds, and therefore the gift of the flute was an expression of support for both cultures working together rather than one culture oppressing the other. This thesis illustrates that in the gifting discourse, interdisciplinary research is needed in the disciplines of ethnomusicology, anthropology, sociology, psychology, and education.
Katherine Meizel, Dr. (Advisor)
Megan Rancier, Dr. (Committee Member)
67 p.
Cultural Anthropology; Education; Education History; Educational Psychology; Educational Sociology; Folklore; Music; Music Education; Native Americans; Social Psychology
Ethnomusicology; Gifting; Native American Flute; Indian Flute; Native Flute; Social Psychology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kaehne, J. R. (2016). The Path of the Wind: An Instrumental Bridge across Cultures through the Native American Flute [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1460054559

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kaehne, Jake. The Path of the Wind: An Instrumental Bridge across Cultures through the Native American Flute. 2016. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1460054559.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kaehne, Jake. "The Path of the Wind: An Instrumental Bridge across Cultures through the Native American Flute." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1460054559

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.