The North Dakota Music Hall of Fame proudly inducts Keith Bear, a world-renowned Mandan-Hidatsa storyteller and musician whose enchanting performances weave together story, song, history, and personal reflection. Known as O’Mashi! Ryu Ta (Northern Lights or He Makes the Sky Burn with Great Flame), Keith Bear hails from the Three Affiliated Tribes in Fort Berthold, North Dakota. His work reflects the dignity and spiritual wisdom of his ancestors, inspiring reverence for the earth, gratitude for the diversity of human experience, and appreciation of traditional Native American songs and stories.
Early Life and Cultural Journey
Keith Bear’s journey is one of reconnection and cultural rediscovery. Though he grew up outside the tribal traditions, he reconnected with his heritage through the “sacred branch of the Tree of Life” — the flute. His extended family, friends, and ceremonies taught him traditional songs, beadwork, porcupine quillwork, flute music, and stories.
Bear’s upbringing was bicultural. Born to Christine and John Bear of the Nagadawi Clan, Keith spent his early years balancing life between his Sioux and Mandan/Hidatsa heritage. He experienced cultural diversity firsthand, having lived in fourteen non-Indian homes during his twelve years of schooling, in addition to time spent with relatives during vacations and holidays.
Musical and Storytelling Career
Keith Bear’s career as a musician and storyteller is distinguished by his dedication to preserving and sharing his Native culture. A self-taught flute player, Bear has been performing since 1986. His critically acclaimed performances include traditional storytelling and the sacred Buffalo Dance ceremony, which only honored tribal members may perform.
Bear is an award-winning recording artist for Makoche Records, with acclaimed albums such as Makoche Masters, Echoes of the Upper Missouri, People of the Willows, and Earthlodge. His work has earned nominations from the Native American Music Awards for Best Traditional Artist, Best Video, and Best Male Artist. His first recording, Echoes of the Upper Missouri, reflects his desire to take each listener on a journey back to the bottom lands of the Mandan-Hidatsa people. The natural sounds heard on this release were recorded on location in the ancestral lands of his people.
Bear’s performances have taken him across the United States and Europe. He has appeared at prestigious venues such as the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the Kennedy Center, and the International Storytellers Festival in Wales. He has also performed with the National Symphony, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and in numerous cultural programs throughout Europe.
Teaching and Cultural Contributions
As an educator, Keith Bear works with students of all ages through school programs and residencies. His mesmerizing presence and wisdom teach respect for self and elders, integrity, reverence for the earth, and appreciation of diversity. He has collaborated on themes such as Lewis and Clark and Celestial Science, and offers beadwork and flute-making workshops.
Bear is also a spokesperson for the National Education Association regarding Indian warriors and leaders. His stories, which he considers living rather than mere legends, are shared daily with his children. He is currently working on a book of children’s stories. Keith believes in race reconciliation and emphasizes the shared creation of all human beings by the same Creator.
Personal Life and Recognition
Keith Bear’s contributions to his Native culture and traditions were recognized with a fellowship from the prestigious Bush Foundation in 2009. He is a pipe carrier, ceremonialist, and member of the Buffalo Dance Society. His uncle Fred, a war bonnet and headdress maker for the tribe, has passed down these skills to Keith, who is also knowledgeable in genealogy and Native American artwork.
Bear’s talent and dedication have led to performances with nine symphonies across the country, despite his inability to read music. His healing journey with the flute began when he traded for his first instrument while working in the oil fields. The flute became his source of healing and cultural connection, leading him to produce beautiful music that resonates deeply with listeners.
Craftsmanship and Legacy
Keith Bear is not only a musician but also a craftsman. His flutes, uniquely decorated with beads or quill work, are considered to have a healing quality. His first flutes used beads, but his aunt explained that beads were not the way of the Mandan Hidatsa. Instead, he learned to use porcupine quills, which are believed to carry the spirit of the animal.
Bear’s treasured collection includes 28 hand-carved flutes, each with a name reflecting its origin. He has used materials ranging from fence posts to door jams, table legs, and even scrap wood from a cedar deck. His flutes are sold for anything from a drink of water to $2,000, depending on what the buyer thinks they are worth.
Philosophy and Community
Keith Bear’s philosophy emphasizes the importance of cultural heritage and respect. “I’m an Indian, not a politician, so I can call us Indians and not Native Americans. My uncle told me many years ago that anyone born in this country is a Native American,” he explains. Keith believes that everyone represents more than just themselves and that their actions should make their community proud.
“Without my relatives giving me the songs and stories, I wouldn’t have them. My talent comes from my family that has shared these with me, and I feel very honored and humbled to be where I am. When the children hear the songs and stories, maybe they’ll reflect back on this moment, and it will be a good reflection,” Keith says.
Induction and Legacy
Keith Bear’s induction into the North Dakota Music Hall of Fame celebrates his remarkable contributions to preserving and sharing Native American culture. His story is one of resilience, cultural rediscovery, and artistic excellence. Keith Bear remains a cultural and musical pioneer, whose impact on the world of music and storytelling will be remembered for generations.
Discography
- Echoes of the Upper Missouri (Makoche Records, 1996)
- Earthlodge (Makoche Records, 2000)
- Morning Star Whispered (Makoche Records, 2007)
For more information, visit his website.
Keith Bear was inducted into the North Dakota Music Hall of Fame in 2022
