Inlander Photo

This week's Indlander published a photograph of the Swench Skahas drum during the recent Earth Day observance at Riverfront Park. Swench Skahas is a name that means 'Dancing Horses,' and comes from the Spokane Salish: swenš (wardance) and sqax̣eʔ (horse). The drum belongs to my good friend Francis Carson. This is a photograph I will cherish for many years to come, mostly because of the opportunity I had to sing the old Spokane songs with my friends and family.

The photographer was Amy Hunter.

Pictured around the drum, from left to right: Jim Samuels, Shannon Hubert, Francis Carson, Barry Moses, Lanetta Moses, and Pat Moses.

Heartbeat

My Uncle Pat invited me to sing with the drum at a wellness and sobriety conference sponsored by Deb Stanger and the Spokane Tribe. The event was titled "Breaking the Cycle."

The conference invitation states in part, "This day is dedicated to the human beings that have had to struggle in life to maintain their dignity through... drug/alcohol abuse, violence, trauma, and other problems... As a nation, we need to forgive and begin the healing process..." Community agencies and prevention workers from around the area gathered to share resources and personal stories of healing.

Before the opening song, my uncle made a brief prayer and said, "The drum is the heartbeat of the Indian people." He then spoke of the drum calling our young people back to healthy living, away from addictions, violence, and gangs.

Four of us sang at the drum: Pat, Francis, Deb, and I.

Many times I have sat at the drum and felt the power of that spirit. Today was no exception: I experienced it as an invisible wave emanating from the drum and touching everyone in the room. Most of the people in attendance rose to their feet in respect, and even many of the building staff left their work stations to listen. I've heard it said that the drum is a living person. If this is true, then he or she is a compassionate person offering power, healing, and strength to the Indian people and people everywhere.

Powwow

My cousin Gabby sat next to us with his drum Iron Spirit.


Dakota sleeping on Rhonda's lap.

The senior class of Medicine Wheel Academy sponsored a powwow this evening at Havermale School. Normally I don't attend powwows during the opposing season, but my good friend invited me to sing at the drum. Not to mention, I also felt moved to support the students at my former workplace.

Years ago, I used to sit with Hank Wynne and my father when they still called themselves the "Corn Dogs." The drum name started as a joke, but stuck for quite some time. Finally my yaya Messie decided they should take a more respectable name and paid to call them "Little Falls." Hank and my dad are both gone, as well as several others who sat at that drum, but many of us remember those songs and continue the tradition.

Tonight at the Medicine Wheel powwow, I sat with Eric and the Hall Creek drum. Most of the songs are the same as I remember from my youth. It's an honor.

Rhonda also sang with us, but Dakota fell asleep on Rhonda's lap. He went to a scout camp last night and only slept one hour. Even so, I imagine the sound of the drum resonated in his sleep and moved his dreams.