Full Circle: A Grade 6 Inquiry into Indigenous Drum Making, Artwork, and Awakening Ceremonies

An ongoing project in Grade 6 culminated this week with a Drum Awakening Ceremony.

Children in uniform sit on a log in the foreground, facing a group of other children playing drums around a fire pit in a grassy clearing surrounded by trees.

In March, students first built drums with the teaching and guidance of an Indigenous Elder, Darren Charlie. They then learned about Indigenous Art techniques from Vancouver-based Indigenous artist John Spence and later used their learning to adorn their drums with artwork of personal significance. The project culminated on-campus this week with a Drum Awakening Ceremony led by Ms. Charlene Smoke.

The Grade 6 class will be invited to play their drums at Meadowridge’s Indigenous Peoples Day Assembly on Monday, June 17.

In the foreground, children are engaged in a craft activity, while in the background, a teacher assists students in a classroom.
A collection of decorated drums and books are in the foreground, while a large group of people holding drums pose outdoors in the background.

 


 

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