American Indian Affairs (AIA) Drum Information

To Native Americans, the drum is far more than just an instrument. It represents the heartbeat of Mother Earth. Without the drum, there can be no dance. Being at the drum is both a special privilege and a special responsibility. There were no written languages among Native Americans in olden times. History was kept alive through the stories, legends, and songs that were passed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years. Singers were, and still are, respected as members of the community for helping keep alive the events of the past. Some of the traditional songs still heard at pow wows today go back several hundred years. They refer to real events and real people from the past. That history is constantly being renewed when these songs are sung. Although a drumstick is used for most songs, being at the drum is not really about beating the drum. It's about singing and keeping history alive.

Click here to see the 2009 dates for drum and singing practice!

The Lodge "HOKA" (singer) patch became a reality in 2004. The purpose of this patch is to encourage youth Arrowmen to become involved with the drum and singing. The patches are now on hand and ready to be awarded to those Lodge Arrowmen willing to complete the requirements. Now is the time to start. Yes, you will have to sing for it! No, you don't need any prior musical experience (traditional or Native American) to earn it. Attending a Lodge Drum Practice session will get you started.

All dancers (and those who want to be) are always welcome to attend any drum session. A dancer who knows something about singing and the drum will be a better dancer.

You can be one of the first Occoneechee Arrowmen to earn the new HOKA patch. Come on out Lodge Drum Practice and get involved. Practice sessions are held at the Bethesda Ruritan Scout Building (home of Troop 402), 845 Glenco Road in southeast Durham near RTP.

Click here for directions to Lodge Drum Practice.

Attend your third official practice session and receive a FREE drumstick kit!

If you are really serious about Native American singing, dancing, crafts, or ceremonies, you should attend the Carolinas Indian Seminar (CIS) in Statesville, NC in January 2007. There will be classes for Beginning and Advanced Southen Singing. Northern, too. If you are not already registered for this event, contact your Chapter Advisor or Lodge AIA Advisor Jeff Brewer (919)-868-6274 immediately. Attendance is limited to 400 participants and is always filled up. CIS is a first rate event with many of the same instructors from the National OA Conference 2006 and Indian Summer 2003. The price is very reasonable (registration is $35.) and it's practically right in our backyard. A wide variety of Native American dance, singing, craft, and ceremony instruction will be available and the Pow Wow on Saturday night is awesome! This event is a must for anyone interested in anything Native American and is a great way to start off the new year!

Here are the web links to a Masters thesis by Chris Glazner titled "Honoring Our Warriors: Southern Plains American Indian Music for War Veterans".

Abstract (1 page): http://www.mit.edu/afs/athena.mit.edu/user/g/l/glazner/www/thesis/thesis.html

PDF File - Full Text (70 pages): http://www.mit.edu/afs/athena.mit.edu/user/g/l/glazner/www/thesis/glazner_thesis.pdf

Works Consulted: http://www.mit.edu/afs/athena.mit.edu/user/g/l/glazner/www/thesis/Works_Consulted.html

Lots of great information for anyone serious about Southern Singing.

Bill Morris - Adult Adviser
bmorris3@nc.rr.com
919-949-7163 - cell

Practice sessions for the Lodge Drum are held at the Bethesda Ruritan Scout Building (home of Troop 402), 845 Glenco Road in southeast Durham near Research Triangle Park. For directions click here!