It all started a few years ago when my husband was dying. One of my mentors suggested I go to a powwow that was coming up...”It would be useful for Jim if you danced for him. The Miami open their ceremonies by honoring veterans of all races. After the flag presentations there will be a veterans dance where veterans are invited to come inside the circle and dance. It’s a powerful ceremony, Kyah. If you dance in Jim’s stead it will help him.” I had always wanted to go to a powwow so it didn’t take much convincing to go. The thought of dancing in front of people at an Indian Powwow, however, was mildly terrifying. But there was no question. My mentor told me to listen to make sure they opened up the veterans dance to people to dance in honor of a family member who had passed or couldn’t be there.
The opening flag ceremony was beautiful and moving. Then all veterans were called to join the circle. I didn’t hear anything about dancing for a family member, so I didn’t join in. And then it happened. The announcer spoke the words that invited me to join the circle. Quickly I went. I checked with one of the elder Indian women just outside the circle. She said, “Yes, yes, go!” I was so appreciatiatve of her kindness. I knew from watching that I was to pass through the rows of veterans and shake their hands. I stepped into the Circle. Something extraordinary happened. There was a swirling of energy. All of a sudden I could feel Jim’s energy within me. I extended my hand and looked every veteran in the eye. It was as if I was seeing everything through Jim’s eyes and they saw Jim when they looked into my eyes and shook my hand. There was such mutual honor and respect shown between the eyes and hand shakes. It is something I will never, ever forget. The drumming began. We danced. Everyone outside the circle remained standing. The Drummerswho weren’t drumming stood on the inside of the circle with their mallets held in the air as a way of honoring. I was so moved. Tears filled my eyes. I danced in honor of the love of my life. The drums were amazing and powerful. I couldn’t get enough of them. I liked how they made me feel. I could feel their vibrations throughout my body. It was wonderful.
After the dance my friend and I visited some of the vendors. One vendor was a flute player and he was selling flutes. I wasn’t so much interested in his flutes as I was the drum he had made out of a tree trunk. I asked him if I could play it. He kindly obliged. I was hooked. I thought to myself, “One day I’m going to make myself one of these.”
For more than a year the idea percolated inside of me. I dreamt about the wood, the animal hide, the tools I would need, the beaters, what it would look like. I talked with drummers about drumming. I started gathering information bit by bit. Then, when I was least expecting it, the tree trunk appeared. I was getting ice at the gas station for my sister’s knee. A truck with a trailer full of freshly cut tree trunks pulled in to get gas. They were the size I was looking for. I asked myself, “Do I ask him for one?” I hesitated, but quickly realized this was an opportunity. So I asked the guy if I could pay him for one of his tree trunks. He said, “Sure! Which one do you want?” I looked them over and selected one. He even put it in my truck for me. “How much do you want?” I asked him. “I don’t know. I just cut down this tree at a church for free. So whatever you want to give me is fine.” I looked inside my billfold. I had $30. He gladly accepted my offering. “What are you going to do with it?” He asked. “I’m going to make a drum,” I responded. He was surprised by my answer. “Oh! I would like to see it when you finish it,” said he. “I will call the church when I am finished,” I replied. Happily, I drove off with the ice and my Red Oak tree trunk.
Soon afterwards, I purchased a hammer drill as my plan was to drill out the core of the tree. “How difficult could it be?!?” Asked the greenhorn. I’m laughing so hard at this memory. It took me a year with lots of trials and even more errors to craft my first Drum! The frame of the original tree cracked, but I was able to fashion a drum out of its core. I have learned so much from the Trees, the Animals whose hides I use, as well as other Drum Makers. I have so much gratitude for everyone who has given me a hand, given me advice, and have encouraged me along the way. Besides making Tree trunk Drums, I make hand held drums as well. So that, gentle reader, is how it all started!
