Hand drummers to meet Mother’s Day

By Rick Garrick

Fort William’s Rita Fenton plans to drum with 500 hand drummers during the Heartbeat of the Drum – A Walk for Healing on Mother’s Day in Thunder Bay.

“Whenever there is a callout for drums, whether it is funerals or vigils, we have to go,” says Fenton, a member of Aniimki Wadjiw Equaywuq Drum Group. “I go because it helps me, it empowers me and it makes me stronger inside as an Anishinabe woman. We’re role models for the people in the healing and the walk of life that we do.”

Fenton first learned how to hand drum about five years ago while doing full moon ceremonies for healing.

“The Elders would come out and teach us songs,” Fenton says. “And then I made a drum. Once there is a call out for drums, you have to go.”

Fenton says her granddaughter also has a hand drum and two of her great-grandchildren are learning about the drum, the songs and their meanings.

“The drum is sacred,” Fenton says. “It is something we use in our lives to have healing. Since I started drumming, it has enhanced my spirituality and it instills pride in people as Anishinabe people. It instills that pride, that connection back to our spirits. And all the grandfather teachings are incorporated into the drum, which we incorporate into our lives.”

Fenton and the other hand drummers will walk from Waverly Park to Prince Arthur’s Landing during the May 8 walk, which is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m.

“The beat of the drum will be heard across the region,” says Frances Wesley, organizer of the walk. “It is going to be an incredible display of culture and community. I had a dream to bring hand drummers together this Mother’s Day to guide people in the direction of things that matter.”

Wesley says her dream spoke louder than words.

“I could see people walking far in the distance, walking in unison,” Wesley says. “I didn’t quite understand what that meant. But it came at a time when news about hardships of our young people (was) happening here in our city and in our communities far and wide. Sometimes it came when I heard about an Aboriginal youth or a woman going missing. Or sometimes I would hear the drums when someone was found by the river, who happened to be an Aboriginal individual.”

Wesley says the walk will promote healing and celebrate culture, children, women and families in the community. She says the walk will also be a unique way to celebrate Mother’s Day and will highlight diversity in Thunder Bay.

“The beat of the drum is humanity’s common pulse connecting our heartbeat to mother earth,” Wesley says. ”Through the joy of drumming, the community will feel a sense of revitalization and there will be a sense of synchronization of energy and unity.”

Wesley is excited about the upcoming walk.

“We’re expecting some people from as far east as Ottawa, some people from Timmins, some from Sioux Lookout as well as Kenora,” Wesley says.

People do not need to have a drum to participate in the walk, but they are encouraged to register at: tbayhealingwalk.ca.

After the walk, an event will be held featuring a drumming circle, grandfather drum and songs.