There may be grants available from the Ontario Ministry of Education for Aboriginal programming. School Boards need only apply to the Ministry.
All presentations fulfill Canadian Native Studies requirements. They are ideal for Native Studies, History, Politics, Social Studies, World Religions, Dramatic Arts and Music, and breaking down stereotypes towards Canada’s First Nations People.
All presentations are also ideal for teacher training workshops, professional development days and other Educator events.

There was a time when Mother Earth lived in perfect peace with her mate Father Sky until the day they noticed a beautiful copper ball (earth) rotating slowly around them and their hearts went out to this lonely place. Eventually Mother Earth leaves her mate to bring the Copper Shield to life albeit chaotically. Culture Hero, Raven comes along to explain and brag a bit about his role in helping her organize her new home.

This new musical stage show is a fusion of theatre and song, performed live to a soundtrack, to illustrate the First Nations creation stories.

Shannon Thunderbird delivers the haunting message from the drum: “I am Mother Earth’s universal heartbeat and sacred gift of Creation; I speak to all people equally and peacefully; I am a powerful non-verbal form of calm communication; I am the ancient wisdom of the Ancestors.”

Students sing and learn drum rhythms in the truly interactive manner of a Native social gathering using authentic hand drums and shakers. Mesmerizing stories are told that explain a variety of artifacts and sacred objects. The show is exhilarating, fun and highly educational.

Shannon Thunderbird gives a short explanation on the importance of music to Indigenous cultures after which students get a unique chance to create a song. Shannon begins and the students follow by adding their own notes and texture to the original sound, also known as ‘soundscaping in four part harmony.’ Eventually a song and a theme emerge from the collective contribution. Thunderbird translates the theme into Sm’algyax and students perform it in the original language. The workshop gives students an idea of how some of the original music was created in a fun, magical and highly cooperative way.

NOTE: Although the workshop is usually booked as an adjunct to either Daughter of the Copper Shield or Great Circle Drumming, it is also available as a half-day experience in which students are given plenty of opportunity to drum and create a number of songs. A big Powwow Drum is included in the half day version and an additional fee is charged.

Students learn the organic process of creating Native music by writing their own song, also called ‘soundscaping in four part harmony’! Thunderbird translates the theme into Sm’algyax and students perform it in the original language.