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PHOTOS: Buckhorn Elementary students perform Indigenous drumming and singing

The whole school participated in the Indigenous drumming performance
Hanna Petersen
Hanna Petersen

Over the last couple of months, students at Buckhorn Elementary have learned Indigenous drumming and singing.

This morning (May 21), they had the opportunity to perform in front of an audience of their peers, teachers, and family.

Each division performed a song from a specific Indigenous culture such as the Lil’wat Nation’s Women’s Warrior Song or the Anishinaabe Water Song.

“We have been practicing with the students traditional drumming and singing and also learning about the protocols and how we handle a drum and how it is important to indigenous peoples’ culture,” says Dana Schwenning, a School District No. 57 (SD57) Aboriginal education worker based in Hixon and Buckhorn Elementary Schools.

Schwenning, who helped organize the performance, says the students were thrilled to perform the songs and are quick learners.

“In all honesty, it makes my heart swell because when I was in school we didn’t do stuff like this. We didn’t talk about our Indigenous heritage and we didn’t do these kinds of activities, so to see the kids having the opportunity to do them now and for all students to be involved is amazing,” says Schwenning.

She also added she couldn’t have pulled off the performance without the supportive staff at the Aboriginal education department.

“This has been their opportunity to share with one another what they have learned over the last couple of months,” says Schwenning. “I think our kids have done a great job today.”