Aklavik Delta Drummers & Dancers

With Aklavik’s town motto of “never say die,” it’s not surprising the community has managed to maintain and continue its cultural practices.

The Aklavik Delta Drummers and Dancers are one of the three groups that formed out of the regional Mackenzie Delta Drummers and Dancers in 1989.

They represent a community of mixed heritage, both Inuvialuit and Gwich’in, and in their gatherings, the close family ties are evident. In Aklavik, it is always about family, friends and love for one another.

The group’s songs are usually about the land, animals or how people travelled. The words and actions that go with the songs explain how the people fed themselves, travelled, hunted and survived.

Carol Elanik, one of the members, shows off her full traditional outfit while explaining that drum dance makes her feel happy.

Today, the culture of drum dance is strong in Aklavik, and the group has had many opportunities to travel outside of the region for performances, such as at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

DEAN AREY

Drum dance is special to me because I grew up with it in school. I was taught by the late Alex Gordon, Danny A. Gordon, Hope Gordon, Kathleen Hansen – all our elders that have passed on – the way of my Inuvialuit culture. When you see the dancers move, it makes you want to drum harder.

ANDREW GORDON SR.

In 1989, our Inuvialuit drum dancing was dying off. We had the opportunity to learn from our elders that have passed on, and now we know a total of about 30 drum dance motions and songs. When we dance, we’re proud because we know that our elders who have passed on are with us in spirit. It’s good to see our young people dancing when we sing and drum. It makes us feel really proud to be Inuvialuit.

SHAYLA AREY

Drum dancing is special to me because it is part of our culture and tradition. I started in 2002.

FREDA ALUNIK & ANGUS WAYNE ALUNIK

Freda: I always followed Angus when he went to Aklavik practices, but I always sat on the side. One time, one of the ladies said to come sit with us, so I went up and that’s how I started in drum dance. I’ve seen drumming and dancing since I was a girl all the time, especially in Peffer’s Cafe. Everybody used to be there drumming and dancing.

Angus: I started with the Aklavik group in the late ‘90s. I used to play guitar with Andrew Gordon and he would call me to go to Alaska with him. Later on, I started picking up the drum and playing with them. I’ve been with the group since. I used to watch it when I was a young kid, and then Andrew got me into it again. I don’t really dance, but I do the drumming, and it makes me feel really good.

JESSI PASCAL

This is history. It’s what my grandparents did. Being able to sing together as a family and friends with our group here makes me feel very connected. It’s an awesome time, especially when I’m dancing and singing with the people I love.

ELLA ARCHIE

Drum dancing is special to me because my nanuk Sarah Meyook used to drum dance and I want to keep the culture alive. I got my daughter Kendall into it as well. I feel really good when I drum dance.

JANETA PASCAL

Drum dancing is special to me because it’s fun, it’s something we grew up with and it’s good to hang out with our family and friends drumming, dancing and singing. I think culture is important. I want my son to grow up in the same environment I did. He seems to enjoy it so far. He’s only a year and a half old.