A major cultural event took place between Thunderchild School (cultural group), Glaslyn Central School (Grade 10) and H. Hardcastle School (Grade 9), under the TreatySmarts grant program sponsored by the Saskatchewan Arts Board. The project took place from May 7 to 11, with the help and guidance of world-renowned percussionist Boris Sichon. Each school hosted morning workshops, as well as a performance. Audiences included a mix of staff, students and interested community members.
Each morning session was a sharing of musical ability of the participants. Boris showcased his musical expertise; he allowed each student to explore and practise as he instructed techniques of the various traditional instruments which he brought with him. Celtic bones, African djembes, authentic animal horns, a variety of traditional frame drums, singing bowls from Tibet, a Chinese gong, shell shakers, cymbals, ankle bells and numerous other international percussion instruments made for a beautiful experimentation in music making at each of the schools.
After three days of getting to know one other, the participants put together an expression of music making, singing, dancing, chanting and drumming. The particular expertise from the Thunderchild drummers, singers and dancers was obvious and welcome as the other students added complementary additions to the performance.
In a line procession, participants entered the gym with traditional First Nations drumming. Heralded by traditional horns, the group made its way to a circle formation inside the audience seated "in the round". Thunderchild powwow dancers and highland dancing were featured next. The chanting of our credo, Love, Respect, Harmony and Courage, was accompanied by hand drumming and by each student adding to the music with his or her instrument. Traditional First Nation music with a techno twist (A Tribe Called Red) was the background to two dance groups who performed original choreography. Finally, the audience joined the performers in a Round Dance.
To conclude, the participants returned to the inner circle to take their bows. Appreciative audiences reported that they were very moved by the performances in each of the schools. In reflection, we realized that we all learned from one another, shared generously with one another, enjoyed the music and friendship and, most importantly, made bridges between our communities through an expression of the arts. Most participants felt it was a very worthwhile and rewarding project; one to look forward to repeating in the future.
