Drums Provide Heartbeat of Little Elk Retreat Powwow

Patricia Ecker

9/21/2000 12:00:00 AM

The heartbeat of the Tribal Nations pulsated through host drum "Bear Creek Singers" and special invite "Eyabay" at the 16th Annual Little Elk's Retreat "Honoring the Eagle" Powwow.

Bear Creek won last year's contest therefore receiving the honor of being this year's host drum.

The Bear Creek Singers hail from the Rankin Reservation, Batchewana First Nation, Ontario. The majority of their singers are of Ojibwe and Oji-Cree descent, according to singer Patrick "Baby" Thunderchild.

"We are honored to be host drum," said Nick Hewson also with Bear Creek. "We have a lot of respect for our drum. It's important to have respect for everything you've got.

"There are many responsibilities for the drum. You've got to feast it and throw sweat lodges. You've got to have a drum keeper, someone who takes care of the drum. You can't just leave your drum sitting in some closet. You've got to have a lot of respect for your drum. It's like your grandfather; you don't abuse him. Respect him the way you respect Elders."

According to Thunderchild, some drums out West allow their women to sit at the drum, but the women here have other teachings.

"Our way, the women are allowed to stand behind the drum and sing," said Thunderchild. "Anyone can have women singers behind them.

"Our drum, we're drug- and alcohol-free. We try to be role models for the youth on the Reserve. We don't need to drink alcohol to have a good time. We have a lot of respect for everyone around us - for our Elders, for our parents and other family members."

According to Hewson, the Schemitzun World Championship of Native American Song and Dance in Hartford, Conn. is one powwow that is important for them to attend because they like to compete. The event is hosted by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and takes place the third weekend in September.

"But, really, all powwows are fun to go to. That's just one of the big powwows I like to go to," added Hewson.

Eyabay, of Red Lake, Minn., judged the drum contest. These singers come from the Minnesota area as well as from parts of North Dakota.

"The powwow committee invited us over here because they like the way we sing," said Brian Thunder Hawk of Fort Yates, N.D. "I've been a drummer since I was six years old. I hooked up with these guys about three years ago.

"It's important to take really good care of the drum. It's our grandfather, so we take really good care of him.

"When we come to sing at powwows like this, we sing for our relatives, family and friends back home. The drum is very dear to us; it's very special. We sing for our people to make them feel good. To me, powwow means celebration."

The unique steps that gave life to each of the visiting drums gave a traditional inter-Tribal gathering feel - like the days of our grandfathers - to this contemporary contest powwow, according to Thunder Hawk. Sharing, respect for culture, traditions and heritage were the common threads that bound them together.

"I grew up in the city in Minneapolis, and I needed something to fall back on like powwows rather than gangs," said Eyabay spokesman Terry St. John of the Fort Berthold Reservation, N.D. "So, that's what I do in Minneapolis. I try to teach little kids about singing, so maybe they can have a choice like me.

"Powwow means the world to me. Watching my little guys grow up with this reminds me of when I was small. I remember watching all the big guys at the drum, and I wanted to be one of them. Now that I'm here, it's such a big honor."

"The Boyz" from Minnesota placed first in the drum contest and earned the honor of being next year's host drum. "Battle River" landed second; "Blue Lake" third; "Behskabii" fourth; and "Spirit Bird"was fifth in the drum competition finals.