The shadows were long in the sunset recently as the Daughters of Membertou drum group played and sang at the Blue Jean Jacket Day memorial ceremony at Membertou Heritage Park. The day commemorated the loss of Indigenous men and boys. The haunting beats of the drum represent the heart beat of Mother Earth. Above, left to right are: Edna Paul, Anna Paul, Skyla Paul, Dee Johnson, Olivia Johnson, Yvonne Munier and Karina Matthews. Photo by Rosemary Godin /Cape Breton PostArticle contentIndigenous women have always drummed. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe members of a newly-formed and expanding Daughters of Membertou group all say they heard their mothers, grandmothers and aunties drumming in the home as they were growing up. It connects them with their heritage and culture. Article contentArticle content“Drumming is honouring women,” said Karina Matthews, who leads the group. “Because it’s the heartbeat. It’s the first thing you hear in the womb. It’s honouring the woman and life.”Article contentArticle contentAlthough the drum beat is said to represent the heartbeat of Mother Earth, Matthews says it draws us to it because it’s the first thing we all heard in the womb. Article contentMatthews says she is seeing an increased interest in the hand drums and more people attending drum-making sessions. And there are also families that have had drums for years and want to learn to become more proficient using them. Article contentSTARTED TO PRACTICEArticle contentMany drums are made from elk hide. Traditionally, a smudge (blessing) ceremony will be made of the drum pieces, the tools and the maker as a sign of respect and thanks to the animal who has sacrificed its life to the making of the drum. Article content“We were drumming at the practices with the Sons of Membertou and there were enough women to have interest in having our own drum night. We use the hand drum and the men use the big drum,” said Matthews. She says she gathered women together about a year ago to have their own practices. Article contentArticle content“Every time people called out for drummers, we would show up and drum. We thought we could get together and drum so we could support our community,” Matthews says. “We’ve been called to pray and drum for people in the hospital. The drumming lifts the spirits of people.” Article contentArticle contentShe says the drummers attend funerals and always drum together – men and women and youth. Article content The Daughters of Membertou, a recently-created Mi’kmaw women’s traditional drum and song group, performed publicly for the first time at the Red Dress Day memorial in Wentworth Park on May 5. Above, left to right are: Skyla Paul, Dee Johnson, Olivia Johnson, Kyra Matthews, Aveyah Sage Francis, Sarah Johnson and Karina Matthews. Photo by ContributedArticle contentCOMFORT TO FAMILYArticle contentDee Johnson, whose sister, Shaylene Johnson, was murdered a year ago July in Sydney, says the memory and legacy of Shaylene lives on in the drumming group. The group has been told when they sing together, they sound like her sister is still here, which gives comfort to her family – especially her daughter who is a drummer and singer with the group. Article contentShaylene Johnson was a main singer for the Daughters of Membertou before she died and was called “instrumental” to their early success.
Women drummers share the beat beyond Membertou
