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"The drum is the Great Spirit's
favorite instrument. That's why we were all given a heartbeat."
--Mano, Navajo Elder
 
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Bringing A Single, Large, Ceremonial Drum
To Life
Traditionally, I have offered drum
making classes where each member of the class makes a drum. Since many groups
have limited funds, and/or are for young people or disabled people each of
whom would need assistance to make a personal drum, I am offering to build a
single, large, ceremonial drum as a project during a class session. The class
members will have an opportunity to see and feel elk rawhide, watch the drum
making process, listen to stories and drum making lore and, if the program
coordinator wishes, help ornament the finished drum. That way the members of
the class can be personally involved in the construction of the drum. The drum
could then become the official drum of the group or used in any way the group
wished.
The cost of such a session would be a $75 teaching fee, expenses
(travel and, in some cases, overnight accommodations) and the cost of a
finished drum. The following drums are all double-headed and would be
ornamented with various furs, feathers, antler and bone buttons, glass and
wooden beads and other authentic materials. Two drum beaters would also be
provided. 18"x5", $125; 21"x6", $175; 24"x8",
$220; and 30"x10", $260. As a fair comparison let me say that a
30"x10" drum at a powwow would cost between $400 and $600 (or more,
perhaps, much more).
My drum making classes have been highly successful. I believe that bringing
drums into the world is a spiritual act and that only good can emanate from
it. I would like to share this experience with as many people as I
can...especially young people. The future belongs to them and being a part of
drum building and drumming can only give them additional, valuable tools to
take with them into that future.
A list and brief description of drum making
classes
Confederated Tribes of the Grande Ronde (five classes); Confederated Tribes of
the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians; Confederated Tribes of the Goshute
Reservation, Utah; the Salish Kootenai College, Wellpinit, WA.; the Coquille
Indian Tribe; the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians; the Native American
Life Circle, Eugene; Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation;
Fort Simcoe C.C.C. (Yakima Indian Reservation) (two classes); Tongue Point Job
Corps (two classes); Angell Job Corps (three classes); Southwestern Oregon
Youth Association (SWOYA) (four classes); Hatfield Marine Science Center
(three classes); Coos Art Museum (two classes); the Lotus House, Yachats;
Harbor Lights Middle School, Bandon (three classes).
The smallest class was two people and the largest class was 31 people. I like
for a class to be between 15 and 30 students. The classes held at SWOYA and
the Harbor Lights Middle School were mostly young people while the Hatfield
Marine Science Center and the Coos Art Museum were mostly older people. Most
of the classes were a combination of children, their parents and other adults.
Many families have made drums together. Families have also made 'family'
ceremonial drums. Tribal ceremonial drums have been made.
During the last year hundreds of elk rawhide drums were built in my classes. I
am very proud of that.
If the camp is for people 12 years and older, we can hold classes where each
student builds a drum of their own. For a 12" tom-tom (single sided
drum), plus beater and a generous amount of ornamentation material, the cost
is $35 a student. 12" elk rawhide tom-toms that has been ornamented
generally sell for between $60 and $100 at powwows.
I know that building drums is a powerful force for good and it would be a
wonderful experience to add to any camp program. I'm hoping we can build many
drums at many camps.
I hope to hear from you soon.
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