Pipestone Indian Shrine Association - Pipestone National Monument

Pipemakers

Forrest Erks

Is a third generation pipe maker who learned to carve pipes at an early age, and is continuing today. He is a descendant of Moses Crow and Estelle Crow-Wilson who settled in Pipestone around 1927 to work the pipestone quarries and carve the pipestone rock. Forrest is a member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Nation.

Travis Erickson

Is a Fourth Generation self-taught artist learned his basic techniques from his mother, Alice Derby-Erickson, and male elders. His great grandfather, Moses Crow and great grandmother, Estelle Moses-Wilson, settled in the Pipestone area around 1927 to work the pipestone quarries and carve the pipestone rock. Travis is currently still working his quarry here at the Pipestone National Monument, and is currently a cultural demonstrator for the Pipestone Indian Shrine Association. He specializes in eagle head effigy pipes, and his works are showcased at the Smithsonian Institute as well as many other places. Travis is an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Nation, and honorary advisor to the Pipestone Indian Shrine Board of Directors.

Ray Redwing

Is a Vietnam Navy veteran and member of the Santee Dakota Nation, and has served on the tribal council in Flandreau, SD. Ray has been carving pipestone for many years, and is currently a seasonal craft demonstrator for the Pipestone Indian Shrine Association. He specializes in Eagle Claw and Turtle Effigy pipes and many other traditional pipe styles. A signature feature of his work is his feather design burnt into the wood of the stem.

Mark Pederson – “Swift Horse”

Is a Fourth Generation quarrier and pipe maker who learned basic techniques from his uncles and cousins. He is a descendant of Moses Crow and Estelle Crow-Wilson who settled in Pipestone around 1927 to work the pipestone quarries and carve the pipestone rock. He has demonstrated his art and has been actively quarrying at the Pipestone National Monument. His specialties include Eagle Claw pipes as well as other traditional pipe styles. Mark is an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Nation.

Alan Monroe

Was born in Hot Springs, SD in 1968. He comes from a long line of pipe makers. At a young age he learned the basics of quill-working, sculpting and pipe carving from traditional artisans in his family as well as family friends. Today he is considered a master pipe maker and quarries the pipestone here at the Pipestone National Monument. He is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Nation.

J.D. Wallenburg (Loud Thunder)

A fifth generation pipe maker, who learned from his father. He is a descendant of Moses Crow and Estelle Crow-Wilson who settled in Pipestone around 1927 to work the pipestone quarries and carve the pipestone rock. J.D. carves many traditional pipe styles. He signs his work with his name, Loud Thunder. J.D. is a lineal descendant of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Nation.

Pam Tellinghuisen

A fourth generation artist, who is still currently working her quarry and carving pipestone. She learned her art from her mother, Betty Derby-Tellinghuisen. She is a descendant of Moses Crow and Estelle Crow-Wilson who settled in Pipestone around 1927 to work the pipestone quarries and carve the pipestone rock. Her specialties include traditional pipestone pipes, smudge bowls, letter-openers, and carved turtles. She is currently a cultural demonstrator and a sales clerk for the Pipestone Indian Shrine Association. Pam is an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Nation.

Small Crafts

Cindy Lou Peterson - Good Flower Woman

Daughter of Marge Derby Parsons. She is a descendant of Moses Crow and Estelle Crow-Wilson who settled in Pipestone around 1927 to work the pipestone quarries and carve the pipestone rock. Cindy Lou is a fourth generation craftsperson with the pipestone, and has been practicing this intricate art of carving pipestone crafts her whole life. She was taught by her Aunt, Betty Derby Tellinghuisen and she fondly remembers watching her Grandma carve turtles when she was a little girl. Cindy Lou is an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Nation. Her Dakota name is “Wahc’a Washte’ Win” which means “Good Flower Woman”. Cindy Lou’s favorite items to carve are owls, hearts & turtles. She always makes her turtles smiling because she is a very happy person.

Jackie Martens

A fourth generation pipestone carver. She is a descendant of Moses Crow and Estelle Crow-Wilson who settled in Pipestone around 1927 to work the pipestone quarries and carve the pipestone rock. She primarily carves turtles, birds and bear mounds with the pipestone. She is a member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Nation.

Jodi Pankonen

Jodi is a fourth generation artist, who learned her pipestone carving skills from her mother, Adrienne Bird Schultz. She is a descendant of Moses Crow and Estelle Crow-Wilson who settled in Pipestone around 1927 to work the pipestone quarries and carve the pipestone rock. Her specialties include pipestone jewelry and carved turtles. She enjoys making feather jewelry. Jodi is an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Nation.

Terry Rose Beek

A fourth generation artist. She learned to carve the pipestone from her mother, Rose Lightning (Adrienne (Bird) Schultz). She is a descendant of Moses Crow and Estelle Crow-Wilson who settled in Pipestone around 1927 to work the pipestone quarries and carve the pipestone rock. She is continuing on the tradition today. Her specialty items are turtle effigies & feather design. Terry Rose is a member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Nation.

Carey Kuehl

A fourth generation artist. She is a descendant of Moses Crow and Estella Crow-Wilson, who settled in the area around 1927 to work the pipestone quarries and carve the pipestone rock. She learned to carve the pipestone from her mother, Rose Lightning (Adrienne (Bird) Schultz). She is continuing on the tradition today. Her specialty items are turtle effigies & feather design. Carey is a member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Nation.

Alice Derby Erickson - “Dancing Flower”

Is a direct descendant of Moses Crow and Estelle Crow-Wilson, who settled in the Pipestone area around 1927 to work the pipestone quarries and carve the pipestone rock. Alice is a third generation artist of pipestone crafts, who retired from the National Park Service Ranger at Pipestone National Monument in 2005. She specializes in feather motif stone jewelry and small turtle effigies. Alice is an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Nation.

Chris Parsons Wallenburg

Daughter of Marge Derby Parsons, Chris is a fourth generation craftsperson, and has been practicing her art for over twenty-five years. She is a descendant of Moses Crow and Estelle Crow-Wilson who settled in Pipestone around 1927 to work the pipestone quarries and carve the pipestone rock. She specializes in beaded craft items; such as necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Chris is an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Nation.