May 31, 2025
Wasi’chu Ignorance
Stop using Native Names for sports teams or anything without permission. I never use DRUM CIRCLE because Dakota Medicine Man Amos Owen, Wiyohpeyata Hoksina asked me not to use the term as it is a sacred term not for White People. Another misappropriation by colonial mentality. I did music for “Dogs in the Hot Moon” (a play at the Great North American History Theater) a quote from Chief Little Crow (Thaóyate Dúta) during the Dakota Conflict of 1862. Amos blessed the show, smudged the theater and did sweats with the cast in Prairie Island.
Because I do not use the term drum circle some people don’t like it. I am a serious Residency/Workshop teaching artist who worked with the MN State Arts Board for 25+ years, implementing a variety of world cultural rhythms. My work is valuable and recognized as meaningful. Drum Circle is often associated with yoga centers where more than often the white people teaching yoga or drumming are not fully educated about the craft they aspire to having it feel wishy washy. So I’m committed to not using drum circle period at Amos Owens request and respect for the Dakota culture. And I also worked with AIM with Clyde Bellecourt. So I use Rhythm Roots Workshop, Residency, Workshop, Drum Jam, Drum O Rama, World Rhythms, etc And I can teach general cultural traditions or focus on a specific system of music such as Arabic, Flamenco, Jamaican, Bulgarian, Sephardic etc. Finally Amos reiterated that you don’t use a native drum unless you know the song, dance or ceremony!
