Some kids in Williams Lake are connecting with Indigenous learning and culture by participating in a three-day drum-making group.
The lessons are a first for the Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre (CCCDC). Tammy Deausy, one of the Development Centre’s coordinators, says this new program came from a grant the Centre received from the Cariboo Arts Society.
“The grant was for opportunities to learn some traditional Indigenous, arts and wellbeing lessons,” says Deausy. “Our team wanted to focus on some Indigenous practices and customs, and we thought that drum-making was going to be popular with the kids.”
Deausy said the three-day class program took almost eight weeks to prepare. The CCCDC worked with All Nations Healing and Denisiqi Services Society to find the right suppliers within the region to ensure the kids would have an authentic drum-making experience.
Then, the kids were guided through the drum-making process with an Elder present.
“It is a beautiful experience because you can touch and feel as well as you’re hearing the teachings from the Elder. So in an about an hour and a half, these eight kiddos had their drums made yesterday [July 8], and were ready for the second lesson.”
The second lesson was on July 9, and the kids were taken through how to put a unique and individual design on their drums. Deausy said the Elder spent time teaching the kids how the designs are meaningful to themselves, and why they would drum.
On the third and final day, July 10, the kids will be taken through songs on their drums, and put on a little performance.
“Each and every step, the kids, and us the workers at the Centre, are learning about the culture and uniqueness to drumming. Somethings we have never learned before,” says Deausy.
“For the kids, to get the lessons and experience from an Elder, it’s a first for the Child Development Centre to be able to offer. It’s cool to see the evolution of the group and their drums as the days go on. It’s something we will be looking to bring back.”
Deausy says the CCCDC is hoping to incorporate more diverse and cultural learning with the help of All Nations Healing and Denisiqi. They are already looking into how they can get funding for ribbon skirt making, and traditional bead work.
“This is definitely something we want to continue to move forward, and we’re so fortunate to have great Elders we want to have incredible relationships with. There’s a lot of really amazing opportunities for more workshops and partnerships.”
The kids all get to keep their drums, or gift them, at the end of the three days. Although they did learn that traditionally, the first drum they make is gifted to someone.
Something going on in the Cariboo you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
