Max is a life long resident of Hulbert, Ok. In 2007 he started attending a Cherokee Language / Cultural class. In that class he learned how to make traditional river cane blowguns and darts along with flutes. Max then entered the Cherokee National Holiday Blowgun shoot and won it twice. Max then went on to learn how to make baskets, do pottery and beadwork. Max’s mother is a full blood Cherokee. His mother taught him the language and how to make ka-nv-tsi. He also helped her pick wild onions and look for medicines. His uncle gave him the nickname of Rusty.