Drumming

Over the past two weeks we have had two knowledge keepers into our classes to teach about the importance of the drum and drumming in indigenous culture.  Last week we welcomed Brother Rick Peter of Cowichan Nation to our school to teach about the importance of the drum.  Brother Rick is also part of our Elder in Residence program at two schools in our school district. Much of what he taught was about the respect for the drum. His teachings included the knowledge that at one point, everything the drum is made of, was living.  He teaches this to help students understand the respect needed for the drum. With Brother Rick, the students participated in singing the Hych'ka song as well as Happy Birthday.

Next, we welcomed Alana Johnson, Haida Nation, to come participate in drumming in our classes.  We thought it was best to give students two different styles and different learning opportunities for drumming as they will be using drumming in their final project. Alana worked with our students to teach them the Child Blessing song.   She also echoed many of the teachings Brother Rick had shared with the students the week before, further solidifying their knowledge. 
One of our students asked if they could add other instruments to the drumming and traditional use of the hand drum. While we need to ask permission, Alana thought it would be powerful and even played some examples of music and musicians where are doing just that - blending indigenous culture with more 'western' influences.  One of the examples was from A Tribe Called Red which the students will be exposed more to as our project continues.

(Image is of Johnson's drum bag, custom made for her by her mother and containing images and symbols with powerful meaning to her and her own origin. How fitting to our project!)