Haida Drumming

ABOUT THE FACILITATOR

Alana is a Haida women of the Kyaanuuslii clan of the Raven Moiety. I was born and have been living and working on lək̓ʷəŋən Coast Salish Traditional Territory most of my life. My awG̱a mother is Ruth Parrish-Skelton and our nanG̱a grandmother was the late Margaret Anne Skelton-Williams, whose mother was Margaret Williams-Stanley. We come from an unbroken matrilineal line of Haida women. I also carry English ancestry through my three other grandparents. My siblings, our children, and I hold space in both worlds and over the last decade have been rebuilding connection with our Haida community by spending time in Haida Gwaii, participating in storywork, and engaging in language learning. We continue to participate in our nationhood in diverse ways by showing up and participating whenever possible, even when we live far from home.

I have been engaged in music since childhood. We grew up with the importance of music in our hearts and minds. Throughout our youth we spent many, many hours singing, playing piano, trumpet, guitar and many other instruments, both through formal and informal education and experiences. I received my Bachelors of Music, focus in Education, in 2011 and am an active music teacher in the Greater Victoria School District, as well as being the Indigenous Drumming Teacher Consultant for the district. My role as Indigenous Drumming Teacher Consultant for the Greater Victoria School District has helped me learn and share cultural teachings about the drum and songs with staff, students, and other community members. I also have taught at Camosun in the Indigenous Community Wellness Program and the Indigenous Studies Program.

The last decade has been a journey of identity and self-discovery as an urban Indigenous woman. I completed a Masters in Indigenous Theology through NAIITS focusing my work on Indigenous storytelling and perspectives. I regularly engage in language learning in both X̱aayda Kil and Nuu-chah-nulth, as my daughter is ʔiiḥatisʔaqsup (Ehattesaht) as well. I have found inspiration in artists like Lalaxaaygans (Terri-Lynn Williams Davidson), Jeremy Dutcher, and other song creators from the three-nation island (Vancouver Island) who weave language into their music.

 Artists like Jeremy Dutcher and Cris Derksen have inspired me to combine my classical training with my love for language and the desire to have more people know and understand the importance of cultural revitalization through language and song. I create because I want to equip others with more tools for teaching language and inspire discussions about contemporary Indigenous music and what that can sound like.

The first time I held a drum was at the BC Music Educators Conference when I was in my early 20s at a session with Sherryl Sewepegaham. I now understand that music is an invitation to honour all parts of me, both as a Haida woman and a descendant of Britain. I have never looked back from that moment and am honoured that perhaps someone will experience discovery of self and culture through the drum and through Indigenous teachings because of this opportunity.