90 # R I S I N G Y O U T H C O M M U N I T Y I M P A C T V O L . 2
M
axime Crawford-Holland
planned a workshop with
a local Indigenous cultural
worker and drum maker in Whitehorse,
Yukon who was very knowledgeable about
traditional ways of teaching and creating
drums. He wanted to create an enriching
learning experience for the youth at the
Boys and Girls Clubs of Yukon's after
school and drop-in programs.
For an entire week, the drummaker
spent time with First Nations and settler
youth between the ages of 12-18 to share
valuable teachings about Indigenous
culture. The youth also learned about
themselves throughout the process. The
workshops created a welcoming and
inclusive space for all.
Drum
Making
with An
Indigenous
Expert
Maxime Crawford-Holland
Throughout the process
valuable traditional
spiritual teachings were
shared as drum making
is a very spiritual and
cultural activity.
"The intensive process included
everything from soaking and scraping
hides, getting wooden hoops ready and
making the holes, making laces out of
the hide, gluing it to the hoop, lacing
it, let it dry, carve drumstick, and using
them to play handgames," recounts
Maxime. "Throughout the process,
valuable traditional spiritual teachings
were shared as drum making is a very
spiritual and cultural activity."
A special thank you to Boys
and Girls Club of Yukon for
sharing the #RisingYouth grant
opportunity with Maxime to
make this project possible.
