I went to an aboriginal drum making workshop on April 17 and had the time of my life! The workshop was organized by the Ooknakane Friendship Centre in Penticton, and there were about 8 of us in the group. I have never been to a workshop like this and it was so much fun creating something so unique and so wonderful. Our instructor – Russell – is a Cree from Saskatchewan but is now living in Osoyoos. He is a professional drummer and singer and in 2004 his group won the world championship. Russell has made over 200 drums and as you can tell it is his passion in life.
He told us many things about the drum. A drum is a sacred object and you must treat the drum with care and respect. The drum beat is the beat of life and a calling to the Creator giving thanks to everything the Creator has made. It was very, very cool hearing him talking about the drum. While we were making our drums he told us about the Medicine Wheel and how as we are stitching we must think about the 4 parts of life – infancy, youth, adulthood, and old age – as we stitch and rotate each quarter section of the drum. The drum cover is made from deer hide and we also give thanks to the deer who gave its life for our drum.
It was a terrific afternoon and I have never had so much fun making something so very special. Next week Russell will return and we will have a “smudging” (a spiritual blessing) and he will talk more about our drums.
