![]() ![]() Throughout the day, which was filled with teachings, laughter and a sense of community, our group helped each other as much as possible. He added that he looks forward to using it one day soon. My nephew, Blake Ford, 15, said the experience gave him “a whole new level of respect for the people who make drums because it was very involved and it took a lot of work.” As we worked on our drums, Terry reminded us of the connection to the Earth through its gift of the buffalo and maple trees. We also used buffalo hide, some of which was dyed in various colors, to complete our drums. The 16-inch hoops we used to make our drums came from maple trees. Co-presenter Laurie provided other details as well as gifted all of us with branches from trees that were already peeled and smooth so we could make them into drumsticks. Terry continued to explain the history of drums, what they were used for and how they were made. ![]() “However, the vibration of our mother’s heartbeat is everywhere, and it’s sustained us as Anishinaabe people,” he continued. “Then, for many, the older they get, the farther from the vibrations of life, the vibrations of the trees, the wind, and the vibration of animals people tend to get.” The vibration is in the water the babies grow in.” “But the one thing we can rely on is our mother’s heartbeat,” Terry said. He told us that when people are born the process is scary as people move from the spirit to a human form. Terry works in the Band’s Historic Preservation Office, and Laurie works as a peacekeeper for the Band’s Tribal Courts.Ī drum is “the heartbeat of the mother,” said Terry as he explained a creation story before we began making the drums. The class was taught by Band member Terry Kemper and Laurie Vilas. So did 20 others who quickly filled the roster for the day-long class that was held in early August at the All Nations Church in Minneapolis. ![]() Recently, when the opportunity to make a hand drum was offered through the Band’s urban office, Dallas jumped at it. There were many other reasons that Dallas, now 10 years old, wanted to dance and why he continues to dance at powwows today, but it was the sound of the drum that beckoned him. The following year, as soon as we arrived, he ran into the circle and began to dance. When I asked him why, he said it was because he could feel the beat of the drum in his heart. When my son, Dallas, was three years old, he told me he wanted to dance at the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe’s Traditional Powwow. ![]()
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