Brother and sister work to share Aboriginal culture with youth

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A new addition to Saskatchewan's First Nations cultural scene is drawing rave reviews in the province. Albert Whitefish is managing leader of the Atikameg Youth Drum Group. "We have three adults as well as children ranging from five years to 15 years of age," he said. Members learn time-honored singing and drumming skills and perform at round dances, powwows and concerts, as well as funerals and other ceremonial activities in their home area, north of Prince Albert near Christopher Lake on the Little Red River reserve.

Whitefish himself has been drumming since he was 15, singing with the Big River Cree. At 34, he has lots of experience to pass on to the group, which includes several of his nephews.

"We appreciate the opportunity to carry on our culture and the teachings of the past. It makes me feel happy to participate. We also make our own drums, in keeping with tradition."

As well as remaining close to their culture, participating in the group prevents the young people from spending time in activities where they are subject to modern influences, many of which can be harmful. "It keeps them out of mischief. I tell them that their school work comes first, and their drumming comes second, so there's not much time left over."

Whitefish's sister Nora Macadam lives an hour's drive away at their home reserve of Big River, but the distance doesn't stop the siblings from planning activities for the young people. The Atikameg group is joining with a dance group named Native Art Dancing from Big River in a play that Macadam is currently writing. As a published author, she is involved in literary activities when her duties as mother to nine children will allow.

"The play will incorporate the message of living a clean and healthy lifestyle, away from substance abuse, with traditional songs performed by the youngsters," she said.

The drums have always played a part in communication for First Nations, and they will once again tell a story when fused with Macadam's words in a more modern context. The dance group, with members ranging in age from six to 17, is also studying drama under Macadam's directorship.

"I combined Albert's drum group with my group and the story will evolve through speaking parts, dancing, singing, and the drums," she explained. The groups plan on performing the play at upcoming events. "We hope to present the production to as many audiences as we can," she said.

Macadam agrees with her brother that traditions must be kept alive. "I write under my Cree name, which is Sitting on Mother Earth. My great-great-grandfather named me before I was born. I am writing the story of my family in a biography," she said. She is in constant contact with Elders as she writes the book.

The two groups are also producing a round dance compact disc, dedicated to the honor of grandparents. "My group will be background singers to the drummers," she added. The recording will be available in most music stores within a few weeks.

Preparing the children has been in progress for a long time. "We started a year ago, taking the youngsters to perform at traditional ceremonies, getting their cultural background strengthened," said Macadam.

The two communities are constantly fundraising for travel expenses, Whitefish said. "We want to get the groups out to as many venues as possible so we sorely need sponsors. Costs mount up when you have dancers travelling with the drum group but they perform in tandem and one is as necessary as the other."

Both Whitefish and Macadam volunteer countless hours to the development of the groups but they don't mind.

"We want all the children in our communities to grow up knowing the ways of our forefathers and to understand what their culture is all about and to experience it," Macadam explained. "It's only through our children that we can preserve our past."