Drum-making Workshops Introduce Children to Traditional Art

The Outma Sqilx'w Cultural School offered From Deer to Drum to engage members of the Penticton Indian Band and neighbouring areas in the making of traditional Okanagan deer hide drums. Activities ranged from deer hunting, skinning and preparation of the hides, to stretching and lacing the hides to drum frames. The four-day From Deer to Drum camp welcomed 70 children, 30 parents, and 20 Elders. More than 15 volunteers were also involved.

The drum workshops were accompanied by a Voices of Nature concert that featured children from various Okanagan Indian communities, along with a non-Aboriginal choir, in spring 2007. Approximately 150 children took part in the concert for an audience of 400 people. The project, funded with a $6,000-grant from Innovations, engaged people from areas across the Okanagan Valley. The drums are still used at community functions and celebrations – a tradition that will carry forward long into the future.

Innovations invests in arts, cultural and heritage organizations wishing to create new opportunities for community members to participate in arts and cultural activities. The program is supported by the Province of British Columbia.