Students at Lac La Hache Elementary School have spent the school year creating their own Indigenous drums, guided by members of the Tsq̓éscen̓ First Nation (TFN). Some students also crafted painted rattles as part of the experience.
School principal Mark Lewis explained that the drum-making took place throughout the year, with students receiving one-on-one guidance from parent and community volunteers. Mike Archie, a TFN elder, outreach worker, and former chief, played a key role by leading a lesson on drum construction.
“We had one volunteer per student, either a parent or a community member,” Lewis said. “Mike [Archie] led a short session on how to build the drums.”
In a follow-up session, TFN members spoke to the students about the cultural significance of Indigenous drums and advised them on how to personalize their drum designs.
“They told the students that the drum art should be personal, something that reflects who they are,” said Lewis. “So the kids took that to heart and painted their own drums.”
The project will culminate on May 16, when the students will learn to play the drums they made. According to Lewis, the drums will serve as keepsakes for students when they graduate or leave Lac La Hache Elementary.
“They get to keep the drum when they leave the school,” Lewis noted. “It’s a meaningful reminder of their time here.”
Archie emphasized the importance of drums in First Nations culture, stating they are used during ceremonies, feasts, and dances.
“They’re sacred in our culture,” he explained. “We care for our drums as we would care for a baby. That’s how we respect our traditions and the items we use.”
The idea for the drum-making project began when Lewis visited Canim Lake for a community lunch with TFN elders and a parent from the school’s Parent Advisory Council. During the visit, Lewis shared his interest in drum-making and traditional songs, and TFN members recommended connecting with Archie.
“He was welcoming and supportive,” Lewis recalled. “It was clear he wanted to help build the relationship between the TFN and our school.”
Lewis described the drum-making process as involving soaking hides overnight, followed by about an hour of hands-on construction. Painting the drums added another hour, depending on the design’s complexity.
“Mike demonstrated a variety of sewing techniques,” Lewis said. “Some weaves were simpler than others, but with adult help, students could finish a drum in about an hour.”
Initially, some students were unsure of their abilities, but with guidance and support, they gained confidence.
“They thought it would be difficult,” said Lewis. “But with materials from a partner company, Mike’s instruction, and some assistance, they saw they could succeed.”
Archie added that the act of building a drum deepens students’ understanding and respect for Indigenous traditions.
“When they make it with their own hands, it adds value,” he said. “It’s not just a drum—it’s a way to connect with our culture and learn about our people.”
The project reflects a growing partnership between Lac La Hache Elementary and the Tsq̓éscen̓ First Nation, built on mutual respect, shared learning, and cultural appreciation.
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