On September 29th, 2022 our cohort had the privilege to join the UHNBC drummers for a drumming circle. It was a truly remarkable experience that allowed us to observe and participate in a small aspect of local Indigenous culture and practices. It reminded me about the importance of inclusivity and connectedness, which are two crucial components of community. I believe those elements should be present in a well-functioning classroom. The experience also peaked my interest into Indigenous drumming culture. I learned that drumming is not only a way to make music, but that it is a deeply spiritual tradition. Though I am new and still learning about local Indigenous culture, I found that including drums is a fantastic way to interweave Indigenous ways of knowing into a Math or Science classroom and it made me want to build one such drum for myself. In my future practice I am looking forward to incorporate this in my teaching and I am excited for the results.
15 September 2022