Song and drum event aims to build community
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Brandon residents gathered in Stanley Park on Saturday for an event filled with song, drumming, food and community spirit.
Organized by groups connected through the Brandon Friendship Centre and other partners, the “Song and Drum” event drew scores of participants of all ages.
The initiative grew from weekly gatherings of men’s and women’s groups, Murray Smith, one of the organizers, told the Sun.
Participants at the "Song and Drum" gathering at Stanley Park on Saturday. (Abiola Odutola/The Brandon Sun)
“Every so often, we bring this together as a co-ed, and this helps us build community,” he said. “Through our song and our drumming, we enhance our community to be healthier, to be happier and most importantly, to be harmonious. Today, we’re having a whoop-it-up, a thank you to just feed everybody and say thanks for coming out.”
For Lori Carver, who works with people in recovery, the event was also about sharing traditions and creating space for healing.
“I work with people in recovery, whom I teach the drum to,” she said. “I just try to pass my knowledge down to the clients there. Singing is one of my big things that I enjoy, so I pass it down to clients who are in recovery.”
Children and youth were a visible part of the celebration, taking turns drumming alongside elders and community members. Smith said their participation was intentional.
“With the children, they come and learn the culture. You’ll see some of the young ones drumming, and they come to the weekly events also. Without a basis for what we do, they don’t have a basis to connect to their culture,” he said. “We allow ourselves to be the teachers, and what we teach is for the younger ones, because they’re the future.”
The event was supported by volunteers who helped with logistics, including providing shade tents during the heat. Smith expressed gratitude to those who contributed.
“People from all walks of life come here, and we allow everybody to participate. This is a sober event — no alcohol, no drugs — because many people here are in recovery,” he said.
“But we thank our Creator, we thank everybody that has a Creator and prays, for allowing us to walk a good life and facilitate all of what we do through our actions.”
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