Long before Francisco Vasquez de Coronado made reference to the first flute music heard in North America in the 1500s, indigenous peoples had already established a well defined musical culture. Its roots lay hidden within nature it-self, linking their world to animals and events that played a role in directing their lives. Little understood at the time of contact, their music provided the psycho-logical and physiological healing necessary to carry on through disjointed times. Contemporary research sheds light on the importance of indigenous music.Filled with both sacred and secular significance, their music reached the very core of their being, and it reverberated through most of their activities. Thus, musical events influenced and were influenced by daily and seasonal activities, and whatever circumstances arose to change their lives affected their music.Their flutes have evolved over the years through a number of progressive, historically significant steps to make them unique. Following the path of this de-velopment provides an interesting look at what the lives and customs of indige-nous people were like during prehistoric times and their trials and tribulations experienced by them when contact occurred with foreign invaders. How these changes have affected their customs, as well as the flute’s role in their lives, is a story filled with historical complexity.Making the Wind Sing, Native American Music and the Connected Breath, is undoubtedly the most comprehensive treatment ever written about the Native American Flute and its role in Native American culture. It serves as an important historical account of the music and lives of Native Americans through perilous times, with emphasis on their only melodic instrument. Dr. Hermann spent six years researching Native American music and the significance of wind instru-ments in their culture. The reader will discover an enormous wealth of infor-mation which covers every aspect of their music culture.