Why is it that when a white person becomes a “Christian” all they have to do is go to church and everything is fine in the society of believers? If a person of a different culture accepts the belief of Christ they have to change their way of life as pertaining to their culture. When a Jewish person becomes a Christian they are expected to give up their ceremonies or Religious Festivals. They are told they are no longer under the law, but are now under grace. The same is true when a Native American becomes a Christian they too are expected to give up who they are, their culture, the dance, and most of all, the drum. Most “Christians” consider the Native drum, as an instrument of Satan and part of pagan belief.
I was in Falls Creek, Oklahoma a few years back at a Christian Indian Assembly where I heard an Indian pastor preaching that when you beat the drum you call the evil spirits to where you are. In Matthew 12:24-25, the scripture where Jesus cast out a demon and the religious leaders said he is casting them out in the name of the prince of demons, Jesus replies as if to say, “WHAT”? Why would Satan drive out Satan? This is the same concept, If I am drumming a song that brings honor to God then why would the beat call the demons? Are these demons coming to worship with me? I don’t think so! The drumbeat is associated with the heartbeat of God to Native people. We are to walk in His timing, His beat and His with direction. How did this pastor come to believe this way? My opinion again, is white missionaries who had no idea or did not care to learn the culture and the real meaning behind the Native way of belief, taught him that these things were wrong, a sin, with no real biblical foundation.
There has been a movement to bring back the Native / Indigenous “sound of worship” by such groups as World Gathering of Indigenous People and other ministries, such as ours. The sound of the drum in worship and songs being written by people like Robert Soto of the Konitsa Band of Native American People and a few others that bring honor to God. The drum and the songs are being used more and more for the Glory of God and Satan does not like it. In the contemporary song “Enemy’s Camp”, we are now going into the enemy’s camp and taking back what has been stolen from us, the “Native American sound of worship”.
I have been asked to travel with the “All Nations Warrior Drum” by Yona Taylor who is the drum elder from the Cherokee reservation in North Carolina. As we travel to different Powwows and events we share the message of Jesus by who we are as Christians. The song that we sing, whether powwow songs or the songs that we sing by Native Christian writers are all songs to give God the Glory.
This page will give you our schedule of where we will be and stories of where we have been. If you would like to know more about the drum please drop me an e-mail. For booking information for “All Nations Warrior Drum” Please contact: Yona Taylor at 828 736 9072
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Sponsored by: Blue Ridge Intertribal Powwow Assn.
Ed Wind Dancer was the headman and his words about the drum were, “Always an honor to be dancing with All Nations my long time brothers”. This is one of the best reviews to have at a powwow. To be though of as an honor to dance to the beat our drum.
The Master of ceremony was Dave White Wolf Trezak. Dave is a Native American Music Award winner. Music and Powwows are the way he makes a living. As Dave travels he makes time for his passion, the elderly. In most areas where there are powwows there are also homes for the elderly. Dave will take time out of his busy week to visit these places and the people that live there. He loves to sing his songs, play his native flute and tell Native stories. But what he loves to do the most of all is just sit and spend time, listening to their stories. When we spend time with these special people it’s let’s them know they are not forgotten. To find out more about Dave you can and his music his site is www.youshowcase.com. I also found a site on AOL Hometown called Honoring Elders that tells about Dave and the work he does with the elders.
At almost every powwow you will also find a storyteller. At this powwow there was one that was very special. He is called Kicking Eagle. What makes him so special is his passion for children and not just at powwows. Kicking Eagle has been the guest speaker at churches, schools, colleges, town-hall meeting and special events across the country. He has addressed audiences worldwide by his appearances on hundreds of radio and television programs. He hosts a weekly radio program called Eagle Talk on WIGN 1550AM broadcasting from Bristol, Virginia. His message is “I Can”! He shares with young and old alike that “I can do it” is an attitude. With this attitude we can restore traditional values in America. For Kicking Eagle books and recordings contact Kicking Eagle Press at 276 - 628- 3421 or by e-mail: lwise@bvunet.net
At powwows we also love to share the message of Jesus. Some times it is just by who we are. At this powwow we were allowed to have church service on Sunday morning. During church services we share the message of Jesus through Christian Drum songs, Christian Native songs that I write and sing and with biblical teachings. This powwow we spoke of purity that Native American traditions teach us but, true purity can only come through the blood of Jesus.