Rhythm of life: Ceremony to heal Mother Earth

By Carla Knapp
THE PHAROS-TRIBUNE (LOGANSPORT, Ind.)

DEER CREEK PARK, Ind. March 24, 2008 05:54 pm

— The heart-shaking thumping of a large wood-carved drum had echoed throughout the small, enclosed shelter at Deer Creek Park for more than an hour recently before Mike Floyd got up to go check the weather.
Seconds later, he reappeared and announced to an excited crowd, “We’re going to take this thing outside.”
With a light breeze blowing on a brisk but sunny spring day, Floyd and eight other men set up and continued the rhythmic drumming.
“This is a day to celebrate and we have a lot to celebrate,” Floyd said to the crowd in between songs. Looking up and raising his hand toward the sky, he added, “Look at this beautiful day! The weatherman said it was supposed to snow today, so we have a lot to celebrate.”
An ogema, or chief, of the Eel River Tribe of Indiana, Floyd helped to bring together members of around 10 tribes for a local drum ceremony in conjunction with 8,000 Drums.
The internationally recognized ceremony got its start several years ago when two Huron grandmothers conceived of it as a way to fulfill an old native prophecy, and events like the one in Deer Creek were held worldwide at noon Friday as part of the prayer to heal Mother Earth.
Floyd, who is also the drum keeper for the Eel River Tribe, said the ceremony has been slowly gaining momentum during the last few years but really seemed to take off this year.
“The drum is the heartbeat of Mother Earth,” said Floyd. “When the last drum stops, so do we. So we have to keep it going.”
The main circle of drummers included men of all ages, dressed in a mix of traditional-inspired and modern clothing. The drum circle grew throughout the day and included several younger men that Floyd said he hopes continue the tradition.
Outside the main circle, others kept the rhythm on individual drums of all kinds. One person even beat the bottom of a plastic bucket. The collective thumping resonated throughout the park, at times swelling to a sound like distant thunder.
Most of the songs were sung by the men in the main circle, but 15-year-old Ashley Barnhill joined in for one special song at around midday.
The Bloomington, Ill., native whose Pottawatomie name is Sings on the Wind, performed a native song called “Tú Kasla,” or “Grandfather,” which asks for strength from the Grandfather.
Barnhill said she has been singing as long as she can remember but only began performing at events like 8,000 Drums about two years ago.
“It’s just always been second nature to me,” she said. “... I just love to sing. It’s a feeling like no one can touch you.”
Floyd explained the meaning of other songs to the crowd. Some, he said, were warrior songs, calling to those brave enough to stand up and fight. Others dealt with themes of spirituality and relationships.
Ray Densmore, one of the drummers who came from Michigan for the event, said although the songs are all traditional, their meanings still resonate with the crowd.
“It’s a way of showing respect to the creator by singing the songs our ancestors gave us,” he said.
Other songs have a lighter meaning, said Floyd’s partner, Tina Raye Amway.
“If you watch on certain songs, the drummers will look at us and there’s still a reaction between us,” said Amway, who is recognized by the tribe as Floyd’s “other half.”
“It’s supposed to be fun.”
The Eel River Tribe combined the 8,000 Drums ceremony with its Longhouse, an event to celebrate the changing of the seasons.
“With every day comes change — change with people, change with everything,” said Floyd, who likened the weekend-long Longhouse to a church event. “We get together, share ideas, get things off our chests, put other things on our chests.”
Though the Longhouse is mainly a spiritual tribal event, invitations are extended to friends from other tribes. Floyd said representatives came from nearby tribes like the Miami and Pottawatomie as well as others like the Lakota, Cherokee and Blackfoot.
Everyone in attendance gets something unique out of the event.
The seasonal events also give friends and family the opportunity to catch up with each other, talk about traditions and other upcoming events.
“I get a tranquility from it,” said Densmore. “I’ve been itching to come down here all winter. I came down here to be with family. It’s like a big family reunion.”

Carla Knapp writes for The Pharos-Tribune in Logansport, Ind.

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If to go
The Eel River Tribe of Indiana will hold a pow wow on May 24 and 25 at France Park in Logansport. For more information, visit www.eelrivertribeofindiana.org

Eel River Tribe to lease park property
The Logansport Parks and Recreation Department is exploring options to lease Dunwoody Park and other parks property in Logansport to the Eel River Tribe of Indiana.
Representatives of the tribe met with the parks board this week to discuss their interest in the properties, which also includes a small parcel on the east side of Biddle’s Island.
Chief Mike Floyd said the tribe is interested in establishing a greater presence in the area.
“This is our ancestral home,” he told the board.
The tribe, which has been holding its events in Carroll County, has 178 documented members including 45 in the immediate area. Floyd said the tribe is mainly interested in having events like this weekend’s 8,000 Drums and Longhouse at Dunwoody Park, which is located along the Eel River between 18th and 19th Streets. The tribe also holds an annual canoe event and felt the Biddle’s Island property would be ideal.

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