Words Like Water Responses

Responses from readers to the Words Like Water Project

Call of the drum
       By Brenda Austin (July 28, 2021)

All across America, Indian nations big and small, are building ties that bind
them, in answer to their brothers call. Women are being honored, and more  protections put into place; men have strength and purpose, moving forward   with ease and grace. Children, rooted in their culture, are held accountable to their future selves.
Hey yanna, ho yanna, hey yan yan, hey ho! Where the drum is, there I must go!


And stronger than a sinew knot held tight within a warrior’s grip,
foundations of Native families are forged in the Creators hand.
A daughter herself of the Creator, Mother Earth dances through space and time, making herself vulnerable to the People, while holding them firmly in place. All across America, Indian nations big and small, are building ties that bind them, in answer to their brothers call.

Hey yanna, ho yanna, hey yan yan, hey ho! Where the drum is, there I must go!

In this time of great uncertainty, there is one thing we must all know, we are the Earth’s protectors, the Creator made it so. And as the drum beats in practice, and then at our powwows, we must honor our traditions and believe that within ourselves our ancestors are there guiding us, never leaving us to walk alone.

Hey yanna, ho yanna, hey yan yan, hey ho! Where the drum is, there I must go!

As each nation gathers together for their annual powwow, the vibrations felt through the men’s drumming arms spread. The women’s voices adding another thread to what is now growing stronger. And as each hand raises their stick to strike again, the call goes out farther; binding the nations together through the grandfather drums soulful call.

Hey yanna, ho yanna, hey yan yan, hey ho! Where the drum is, there I must go!

Brenda Austin has been employed by the Sault Tribe for the past 25 years as a writer/photographer. She lives in the Shallows area of the St. Marys River and loves her home, family and friends in the UP.