The Drum: "Tewikan"

  More than anything else, the drum is the focus of the Pow Wow.  The Pow Wow drum is approximately 3 feet in diameter and made of wood and hide.  The circular shape of the drum represents the circle of life, and the wood and hide represent honesty and sharing with the natural world.  During the Pow Wow, the drum is surrounded by four or more singers.  The drumbeat symbolizes a unified heartbeat (Flett).
   
   The significance of the drum comes in through the symbolism of interdependence.  The materials used to make the drum come from animals and trees, both living things.  The people are reminded that the tree grew depending on the soil, water, and pointed into the air to the Creator.  The drum reminds the people of their dependence on their Creator and the rest of the earth (Flett).   
   
   The drum is a very sacred object and is made only for sacred use- never as a toy or craft.  Before the drum can be sounded, it must be blessed by and elder.  Once the drum is blessed and formally ready it can be played at any Pow Wow.  The drum must be taken special care of, so it is placed under the care of one or a group of people.  One person, the “drum keeper” or “drum carrier,” is placed in charge of taking care of the drum and doing any repair work.  Out of respect, nothing can ever be placed atop or across the drum.   

Works Cited:

Snow snake was played in winter by men and boys on the frozen lakes or in long grooves made in the snow. The snow snake was a hardwood stick two to six feet long and a half to three quarters inch thick. The stick had a slightly bulbous end that resembled the head of a snake, with eyes traced on it and a crosscut to mark the mouth. The entire stick was carefully smoothed. With his forefinger, a man would hold the tapered end lightly, his thumb on one side, while he balanced it with his other hand. He took a short run, then bent and flipped the snake so it would race along the top of the ice or snow. Wagers were made on whose snake could travel the farthest. Snow snake is no longer played by the Indians of the western Great Lakes, but is still popular among the Iroquois. Their snakes were longer-from four to eight feet-and are also polished, waxed, and were weighted with lead at the head end to gain distance. The Iroquois prepared a snow ramp, which gave additional speed at the release. By dragging a log through the snow, they pressed down a track that was sometimes a mile long.

http://ojibwenativeamericans.weebly.com/traditions.html.

http://manoomin.com/Recipes.html.

1 cup cooked wild rice
1 cup cooked white rice
2 cups drained crushed pineapple
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1/4 cup Maraschino cherries

Mix all ingredients together and chill for at least 2 hours. Before serving, fold in 1 cup whipped cream and serve. Serves approximately 10