About Us

Shines and Gray Wolf, of Shines Living History Productions, are historians who spend much of their time experiencing the old ways of the 1700 and 1800s. They live often in their tipi, wear authentic clothing, use ancient tools and cook over open fires for their meals. Both study Native American history and philosophy, and with great respect they try to keep alive the ancient lifeways of some of the earliest peoples to inhabit the land now known as North America. They truly live their Mission Statement - "By keeping alive ancient skills and sharing them in fun & exciting ways with others our goals are to help bridge the gap between Humans and the Natural World and contribute toward individual growth and global healing."

Gray Wolf's ancestry includes Northern Cheyenne of the Great Plains and Micmac of the Northeast. He has traveled the country for many years in search of knowledge from his People, and he has lived in his tipi for extended periods of time. He spent time on several reservations, learning what he could of lifeways from tribal elders and others.

Gray Wolf took an 11-month horse pack trip riding from Santa Fe, New Mexico to Canada experiencing life on the trail, and he is a "working" cowboy.

He is a professional guide for canoe trips, horsepacking, kayaking, backpacking and prospecting. Gray Wolf also teaches rock-climbing and survival skills.

He has spent over two decades sharing his knowledge and interesting anecdotes with audiences of all ages in a diverse range of programs. His real-life experience gives him a solid platform from which to share his knowledge of Native Americans, Mountain Men, Cowboys, wilderness survival and all that these entail.

Shines has studied and enjoyed "the great outdoors" since her father put her in a canoe at the age of three. She has spent much time in the American wilderness -- backpacking, hiking, birdwatching, animal tracking, fishing and observing Nature as a student humbled by the immensity of the wilderness.

For over five years, she lived without electricity or telephone in a remote house on a forested mountain. For educational purposes, she developed nature and children's programs, imparting her love of the Earth to others, hoping that this contributes in some way to the healing of the planet and the people she meets.

Her studies of Native American philosophy extended beyond college classes to experiential anthropology when she began living in a tipi and attending re-enactments, learning first-hand what textbooks could not convey. Her personality, which earned her the name Shines, is what helps her capture the imagination of young and old alike.

Shines Living History Productions

Clarkston, Washington

(Phone) 509-758-2305

(Fax) 509-758-1487