The way of the drum

Julian Kitto, Alijah Petite and Mikinaak visited Churchill Elementary School Friday, to wish the fourth-graders - who will attend middle school next year - a good journey through their education and their lives.

Kitto and Petite both drum with other members of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, at home, at powwows and even over the lunch hour at Cloquet High School. Mikinaak is the name of the drum they brought to Churchill. In English, the name translates to "snapping turtle."

"The drum is a spiritual tool that makes the sound of a heartbeat that echoes forever," Kitto told the students gathered in the school library. "We try to take care of the drum like we would a grandma or grandpa: we keep it wrapped up in a blanket at night; when we give thanks, we put a spirit plate out for the drum. We look at it like a person."

On Friday, they sang and drummed a welcome song for the students, then Kitto talked and took questions. To end the presentation, they sang and drummed the traveler's song, to wish the fourth-graders all the best on their educational journey and on their journey through life. The song came from a sick man who went to Canada and was cured. Roughly translated, it means "because of you, now I can walk," Kitto explained.

"We always sing it to wish anyone good travels," he said.

Kitto said his uncle gifted him Mikinaak in 2009, and he started drumming and singing then. Petite has been singing since he was a toddler, knee-high, he said. Kitto tutors at the high school, and teaches Ojibwe. He also leads a drum group at lunch, which practices with Mikinaak.

The students had lots of questions.

"What kind of clothes do you wear for drumming?" one student asked.

"Regular clothes, unless you're dancing," Kitto said.

Even the stand they rest the drum on has meaning. Its four post ends are painted black, yellow, red and white. Kitto said that represents the four directions, four races and the four parts of the self: mental, emotional, spiritual and physical.

"What do you like more, drumming or singing?" another student asked.

Kitto laced his fingers together. "I think they go together," he said.

"It's part of us," he said. "I sing every day. It's what I do."