Carry on Drumming The Revival of Drum Dancing

by Zoe Ho

"Dr um dancing is a living tradition of the Inuvialuit. Our ancestors would gather after hunting to dance. I remember hearing the sound of drumming from my tent at night, when I was a kid in Tuktoyaktuk,” Albert Elias said. “However, in the 60s and 70s, drum dancing was in a lull, and Inuvialuit were getting concerned.”

With the help of Billy Day, a group of old timers persisted with promoting drum dancing during the 1960s. These old timers from Inuvik, Aklavik and Tuktoyaktuk did radio shows and made a special trip to Ulukhaktok in the 1970s and to other communities to host drum dancing workshops.

These old-timers kick started the revival of Drum Dancing, and it grew from there. The ISDP (Inuvialuit Social Development Program), under the IRC, obtained the funding needed for settlement communities to practice and preserve their traditions.

“My wife was a wellness coordinator in Ulukhaktok in 1990. A part of her job was to encourage cultural revival. We both didn’t know how to drum dance, but my wife’s uncle Jimmy Memogana and her mother, Agnes Nanogaq were singers and dancers.”

On one of his trips to Inuvik, Albert brought four drums back to Ulukhaktok from the ISDP. The ability to drum and sing seemed to return naturally.

“It was just like the old times, we sat around after drinking tea in Jimmy’s living room, then we grabbed the drums and started singing.”

“Young people were curious and came to every one of our practices. They showed interest and they learnt fast. It just blossomed from there.”

Within a year, the dance practices had to move from the living room into a gymnasium. “It was really something to see, the floor would be packed.”

“There were more fundraisings, materials were bought to make parkas, boots and gloves. All over the settlement regions, the communities joined at gatherings and special events to drum dance. It was big especially in Inuvik, Aklavik and Tuktoyaktuk. In Paulatuk, the young people found videos of drum dancing, some from Ulukhaktok , and took it upon themselves to learn the skills!”

The dance groups started to travel all over the world. They participated in cultural exchanges in Nome, Alaska, Chukotka in Russia, Germany, Australia and many parts of Canada.

“We learnt a variety of dances. The motion dances from Alaska are danced the same way each time, and are popular in Aklavik and Inuvik. In Tuktoyaktuk, you follow the beat of the drum, but dance as you like. The men yell out chants and stomp their feet, the women have more gentle movements. We told stories in song.”

“I like the Seal Hunt dance. There was an elder from Aklavik who did it really beautifully. It’s a story about sharing, being active, hunting your own food instead of waiting for it to come to you. It’s a short song but powerful in meaning.”

Today, drum dancing is no longer in danger of being lost. On New Year’s Eve, the Inuvik drum dancing society and dancers from nearby communities performed to a packed Ingamo Hall. It was especially beautiful because both young and old were dancing together, celebrating our unique culture. “There’s no membership card, anyone can join.” said Albert. “Drum dancing is a celebration of independence, our culture and self-esteem. I am happy to see a younger generation taking lead in drum dancing; some of the up and coming strong young leaders will take over and lead the songs. My granddaughter, she’s only four, but she was wearing a Mother Hubbard cover and dancing too.”

Impressions of Inuvik >>

Justin Memogana danced alongside Albert Elias at the New Year’s feast and dance in Inuvik. The way he stomped, sang, drummed and shouted with his fellow dancers made his love of the art clear. He seemed happy and alive in every moment. Tusaayaksat catches up with the youth from Ulukhaktok, to discuss his impressions of Inuvik.

Tell us a little about yourself...

Justin Memogana from Ulukhaktok, age 17. I came with my mum to Inuvik, she’s taking the Teacher’s Education Program at the college. I’m thinking of going away for college.

You’ve been here for 5 months, what are your impressions of Inuvik?

It’s alright. It’s bigger, and there’s more stuff to do. There are pool games and X-box at the youth center. I also noticed a lot more drunks. I don’t really care for drinking. I prefer sports. P.E.’s my favourite subject. It’s competitive but fun.

In Inuvik, the culture is a little more mixed. In Holman, 95% of people are Inuvialuit.

I believe all people are equal; we should get to know them all.

When are you going home?

I’m going back to Ulukhaktok soon for a visit. I miss my family. We hunt a lot in Ulukhaktok, there’s duck, seal, char, lake trout, caribou, wolf…I’m not bad at hunting duck. I first learnt to hunt and hold a gun when I was about seven years old.

How did you become such a good drum dancer?

I was taught drum dancing by Jimmy (my grandfather) ever since I was one to two years old. It feels like I’ve been doing it all my life! I love it, it’s part of our lineage, and it makes me feel good inside. If I ever feel down, I just sing it all out. It also helps me understand the language. I have been learning Inuvialuktun from my grandmothers since I was very young.

Do you like Tusaayaksat?

Yes, I like to read news about Ulukhaktok!

Avid drum dancer Wendy Smith picked up drum dancing relatively late, but she feels it gives her a strong sense of identity. “I did not know who I was until I came home to Inuvik. Before that I travelled alot because of my father’s work and my studies. Now, I am relearning my culture. I saw a performance at Ingamo and felt really inspired.”

Top of Page: Inuvik Drummers and Dancers celebrating New Years at Ingamo with other drummers from the ISR Left: Justin doing what he likes best, singing and drumming his heart out!

Bottom: Wendy Smith and the drummers and dancers in a graceful formation.

“Qi laujarniqlu arrinirlu pitqusirivangnigaat taimangaaniin Inuvialuit. Sivulivut katilutik arrivangniqtuat anguniaruiramik. Nutaraublunga ami tusarrnaqivaktuat ilaanni qilautit unugaangan Tuktuuyaqtuumi” Albert Elias oqaqtuq. “Qanikun aglaan palangaqtuatun illiyuaq”

Billy Day mikayuqlugit taapkuat angayukliit Aklarvingmin, Inuvingmin, Tuktuuyaqtuuminlu tajva arriniq aulaqipsaagaat. Ulukhaqtuumunlu allanunlu arriyaqtuqpaktuat.

Taapkuat aulaqituaramik arriniq naupkagaat. Inuvialuit Social Development Program ikayuqtauvaktuq illisarnikun.

“Tuvaaqatiga ikayutauvaktuaq Ulukhaqtuumi 1990mi. Pitqusivut nalunaiqublugit, otiqtitqubugit. Taimani naluyuguk, aglaan Shirleym angaa Jimmy Memogana amaamaalu Agnes Nanugaq illisimayuk”

Sitamanik qilautinik Albert qarijiman Inuvikmin qilamik arrinirlu qilaujarnilu illitaat.

“Ingilraatun tajva niuqaraaqaaqluta Jimmym igluani atualakpaktuanni”

“Inuhaat takunraqlutik illaliutivaktuat, alianaigusuklutik qilamik illituat. Tajvangaaniin naubluni aasiin”

Inituyumun nuutuat inugiaksigamik. “Takunangnaqivialuktuat, illisarvik tatatpaktuaq”

“Anuraaliuqlutiklu pivaktuat. Ilaanni innilaanin inuit katimaqpaklutik arrivaktut. Inugiaksivaktuat akijutalutik Aklarvikmi, Inuuvikmi, Tuktuuyaqtuumilu. Inuhaat Paulatuumi takunaanik qungiaqlutik inmingnik illituat”

by Zoe Ho

Sumuliqaa ongavanun arriyaqtuqpaktuat. Makuannun, Nome, Russia, Germany, Australia, Canadamilu.

“Allanik illisaqpatuani. Alaskamiut sayuutainnik Aklarvikmiulu Inuvikmiulu arrisuuyut.

Tuktuuyaqtuuqmiut qilautit malirutuagamijung tajva. Angutit qasangilaktaklutik, arrnat sangiksuyuitut, atuutit unipkaalgit”

“Taamnali nachiqniaqti alianaigivagara. Alex Gordon maani itilugu mumiyuvialukpangnigaa. Naitkaluaqtuq atuun suangayuq aglaan.”

Qangma arriniq suangasiyuaq. Okiuq nutaaq tikipalukaptigu inugiaksiyuani nakiliqaa Ingamo Hallmi. Alianaivialukpaktuat inirrnirilu inuhaalu atauchimukamik quviasuklutik.

"Illaani tajva sivuliuvalikniaqtut. Inrutaaluga sitamanik okiulik atigibluni saavipaluliqtuaq.”