Inuvik Drummers and Dancers

Inuvik Drummers and Dancers

Abel Tingmiak still remembers the call he got from Debbie Gordon-Ruben and Leonard Harry in 1989.

The two had been calling just about everyone on the Inuvik beneficiary list to come out and practise drum dancing in order to start up a group for the town. The first people they called were Martha and George Harry, Jean Arey, Tom Kimiksana, Sarah Tingmiak and Billy Day.

Abel has since become an icon in the culture. He was also the person to bring in Brian Rogers, better known as Nungkii, in 1992. Brian was only 21 when he went to his first practice at the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation building.

“Both sides of my grandparents drum dance,” said Nungkii. “That’s why I hear the drum dance all the time. It’s like your heartbeat, a place of belonging.”

For member Patricia Rogers, the sentiment is similar.

“Drum dancing is special to me because it was passed down from generation to generation,” she said. “Once you hear the drums and the songs, you can feel the warmth from elders.”

Nungkii’s uncle, Norman Felix, was part of the Mackenzie Delta Drummers and Dancers and one of the people who encouraged the formation of the Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk and Aklavik groups.

“Some of the songs are old, really old,” said Nungkii. “They’re telling a story of what happened.”

They usually spawned as a way to celebrate good times.

“Drum dance will look after you,” said Nungkii. “When you have a bad day at work, you’re feeling ugly, then you drum dance and it’s like nothing happened. It takes care of you.”

But you also have to be wary of the mindset you bring into the practice.

“You’ve got to watch out when you’re drum dancing,” said Nungkii. “Drum dance could work with you or it could work against you. You always have to be in that middle line.”

Today, the Inuvik group is the largest in the settlement region. It often has more than 30 people come out to performances, from children and youth to elders. Because Inuvik is the hub of the region, many people from other communities have come here to live and perform with the group as well. Thanks to the passion of elders, drum dance has come back strong in Inuvik.

Edward Kogiak

Felicia Elanik

I’ve been drum dancing my whole life, since I can remember. My family has been doing it for years. I love it because I can enjoy and embrace my culture. It’s a stress relief for me and I love how I can teach other people my culture.

Billie Lennie

Drum dancing is special to me because it is keeping the traditions alive for my grandchildren. To be a part of something that instils a sense of unique identity and belonging is satisfying.

It’s a healthy way to express joy, and all ages enjoy participating. I have learned so much history through drum dancing, as well as the language, so I am thankful for the group to include me. We have so much fun learning new songs and teaching others that I hope my grandchildren will continue on.

Lesli Kisoun

It’s our culture. We learned about it when we were young. My mom did, and so did my greatgrandfather. It’s important to us because we’ll hand it down to future generations.

Churchill Wolki JR.

It’s part of my culture and my tradition. It makes me feel at peace. It’s relaxing.

Alecia Lennie

Drum dancing is part of my culture and where I’m from. It’s a great way to practise my culture with my young niece. She’s two, and then I’ve got another who’s one. It’s awesome to see my family being connected through drum dancing. We’re all busy throughout the day and throughout the week, but we always come together to drum dance. It’s Inuvialuit pride.

Kevin Allen

That’s the way our forefathers, grandfathers and elders before us had entertainment. It’s passing on tradition from forever, and we hope to continue it. It’s special to me because we’re going to pass on the songs and dances that were taught to us and taught to them.

Edward Kogiak

I just want to keep the culture alive for the young, keep it going for generations and generations as our grandfathers of the past kept it going for us.

Lorna Elias

Drum dancing is special to me because it’s my culture. It was taught to me by my grandmother and my parents.

Kendra Elanik

Drum dance is my culture. I like to show the kids and the people our culture. It’s been brought down from generation to generation.

Ataya Wolki

It’s been part of my family’s culture for many years. I’ve been doing it for so long and I love to take part in it.

Marlo Kasook

It’s a part of us. It’s part of the Inuvialuit culture. I feel the pride and the joy and the calmness it brings me.

Jimmy Kalinek

Drum dancing connects us to our elders and also to the older group to teach us, and for the rest of us to carry on and teach the younger generations our songs, dance and stories.

Hans Lennie

It’s our culture. We’re just passing it on from the elders that gave it to us. I’ve got my children and grandchildren here, and we’re just passing it on.

Abel Tingmiak

Drum dancing has been handed down from generation to generation. You can’t live without it.

Olivia Inglangasak

It’s a stress reliever for me. It makes me happy to see my kids doing the same thing.

Jayda, Edward, and Zayden Kogiak

Hester Inuaslurak

Churchill Wolki Jr. and Jimmy Kalinek

Ethel Jean-Gruben and Lorna Elias