Argus Dowdy, Choctaw

 

Argus Dowdy, from Oklahoma, began carving 15 years ago as an extension of his learning the spiritual ways of his people. During his research he found that the pipe played an important role in many ceremonie, and began carving after he came across a piece of pipestone at a Tulsa pow wow.

 

When he traveled to Pipestone, Minnesota, for more information about carving pipestone, he met other pipemakers and learned more about the process of both carving and quarrying.

 

Argus carved the crested T bowl pipe used in the Keepers logo as a gift.  The crested style pipe is over one thousand years old and comes in several different designs.  Argus says his pipe designs are inspired by carvers of the past and he does extensive research before he carves a pipe to complete it to his satisfaction.

 

Argus is also a world-class quill worker, a skill he uses to decorate each of his pipes — he dyes his own quills and likes using red, yellow, black and white, which represent the four colors of man and the four directions.  The stem is ash, a durable wood ideal for making the twisted stems, which has historical significance because of its use by many plain tribes.