Inuit drummers share what National Indigenous Peoples Day means to them

This Inuit drumming group keeps the beat — and tradition — alive

1 day ago

Duration 1:20

From pioneers to new members, Kilautiup Songuninga share a love of music, Inuit culture and connection. The CBC’s Ella Burke and Mark Cumby spoke to some members of the group in Bannerman Park in St. John’s.

In the days leading up to National Indigenous Peoples Day, members of the Inuit drum group, Kilautiup Songuninga, gathered in Bannerman Park to talk about what events taking place on Saturday mean to them.

Sophie Hamlyn is the newest member of the group. She joined in January in memory of her uncle, Solomon Semigak, a pioneer of the group.

"I should have joined it years and years ago," Hamlyn said. "It just gives me a sense of a feeling I can't even explain ... Proudness."

National Indigenous Peoples Day brings strong feelings of pride in the St. John's urban Indigenous community, according to Sophie Angnatok. She is another pioneering member of Kilautiup Songuninga who has played for 19 years.

She said the sharing of knowledge and revitalization of culture is a big part of what the day means to her. 

"I'm so proud to be able to represent Inuit culture," said Angnatok. "To be able to do it for as long as I've been doing it."

The Inuit drum has been around since time immemorial, said Angnatok. But, like many other aspects of their language and culture, their drums were taken through colonization. Because Inuit people were punished for so long for practicing their culture, Inuit drums weren't really around while she was growing up.

Angnatok said it means so much to be able to play on National Indigenous Peoples Day, and everyday, for those who couldn't. 

"I sing for the ones from the past, and I'm so proud that I'm able to sing the songs that I can," Angnatok said. 

An elder and knowledge keeper from Nain taught Anagnatok and another pioneer of the group how to make their own Inuit hand drums. Together, they came up with Kilautiup Songuninga — which means 'Strength of the Drum' in English. 

Women at heart of Inuit drum dance revival

12 hours ago

Duration 6:18

For the last two decades Kilautiup Songuninga has been gathering songs and stories to revive the age-old tradition of Inuit drum dance. Although the songs were often performed by men, it’s women who are leading the resurgence.

Prior to creating the group, Hamlyn said the only real representation urban Inuit had in St. John's was through the Inuit Games. These games were typically played at events like National Indigenous Peoples Day, previously called National Aboriginal Day. 

To Hamlyn, National Indigenous Peoples Day is about the revitalization and preservation of knowledge. 

"It's about what I know now, what I'm learning, and what I'm going to continue on, and teaching young ones. Just keeping tradition alive," said Hamlyn. 

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