Welcome to BlackWolf Drums!

BlackWolf Drums is owned and operated by me, Cryss BlackWolf. This "About" page is intended to give you a little information about me. We are in the process of updating this site, so please check back for updates, or click the "Contact" page to speak to me about your new Drum.

BlackWolf is my legal last name. My heritage is both Native American and German. My grandmother, Katheryn Feather, traced our ansestry from both maternal and paternal sides. From her fathers side she took great length to trace our hearitage to Vice President Charles Curtis, the first Native American Vice President of the United States under President Hoover, who was a registered Kaw and whose name is registered on the land agreements. On my paternal grandfathers side my ansestory goes back to Germany.

I am very proud of my status as an "unregistered" Kaw Indian and, while I have not bothered with gathering the necessary papers and such to present to the Kaw tribe - which would give me official registeration with the tribe - do so intentionally as I feel that denies my German heritage which I also am very proud of. The global village/tribe extends across the great lands and oceans and encompasses everyone, and we are all one tribe under one Creator.

Due to interesting legal requirements and restrictions I must state that none of the things I sell are "Native American" made. Rather, they are merely made by me, BlackWolf, of German and Native American descent, and may resemble a "Native American Style" of drum. As such, I typically call them Shaman Drums, which also gives dignity and honor to my European roots. Drums, however, have no particular origin as they have always been a part of every culture and have served simlar purposes - whether it be for communication over long distances, for celebration, for Journeying, or for spiritual purposes and prayer.

I have been making Drums for a long time and learned from a 74 year old, six foot Native American man up North whose life purpose became to open the Path of the Drum to all people. I offer drum making clinics where a person is able to connect to the process of making a Drum. I offer drum making clinics to groups sized 1-12 people, allowing anyone the rare treat to experience Drum Medicine through the stretching process through the process of Birthing the Drum on their own 4 days later. Full instructions and suggestions are given during the clinic for that process.

I will upload drums that are for sale from time to time, but really prefer to discuss options over the phone as if you are not able to make a drum yourself I like to get to know a little about you so that when I make the drum, soak and stretch the hides, and pray with the hides and wood while passing them through smoldering Sage and Sweetgrass, I want to connect the drum with you personally. I find that Drum Medicine involves a direct connection between the Drum and the Drummer. I have found in hundreds of cases that this connection continues to evolve over the years and people have reported some interesting things along the way.

I make single or double sided octogon shaped drums in 15", 18", and 21" sizes. I can go up to 30" but it can cost up to $100 just to ship the 30". For that size I would prefer to do a workshop with you as the cost in shipping would likely cover most of your trip here. I also include a drum stick that is made with leather, fur and feathers, which most drums do not come with when you buy them. I offer plain ones that allow you to adorn as you are called to, or I can speak to you and we can add anything from fox or wolf tails, to faces, to feathers, to just about anything I can legally attain.

We will soon update this website with more info and photos from our classes.

If you are a non profit agency or involved in programes that service special needs, I make spaces available at a generous cost reduction to basically cover cost of materials. From 2008-2010 we were actively involved in our local community by offering at-costg Drum making workshops, free weekly drum circles (which services several agencies involved with special needs, under the Sierra Nonprofit 501c3 umbrella, as well as W.A.T.C.H. and programs that served the at-risk youth in our community), and a small Drum and Prayer group for those who desired to explore the Drum and how it can be used for Spiritual purposes. As such, we understand the importance of giving back to the community. Please contact us for more information.

The Wolf Paw within a Paw graphic was designed by an Apache Elder who gifted it to me to
represent Our Connection. Please honor that Sacred gift and the Medicine behind it by not taking it.

Contents of this web site and all original works are copyright © 2007-2010 Cryss BlackWolf - All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of owner.