Tk’emlups Rural detachment leads Kamloops officers in Indigenous workshops

KAMLOOPS — The Tk’emlups Rural RCMP Detachment’s Indigenous Policing Service (IPS) has been helping the Kamloops detachment get in touch with Indigenous culture.

In a news release issued Thursday (Jan. 18) morning, Kamloops RCMP say the IPS held workshops on the art and tradition of hand drum building to nearly 60 of its officers and civilian staff through November and December 2023. It follows a flint-knapping workshop on arrowhead-making over the summer.

“It’s another step in the process of reconciliation within the RCMP,” said IPS Cst. David Bigcharles, one of the officers who presented the workshop with permission from Tk’emlups te Secwepemc. “Everyone loved making the drums and learning about the history of what they’ve made. I think it will help them understand the culture better and how it works, the meaning and significance of cultural items, and why these things are important.”

To make the drums, participants were given kits that included soaked elk rawhide. They stretched and wrapped it around a circular wood base. Afterwards, the drums were placed on their sides away from direct sunlight for about a week until they were tight and dry.

“The hand drum is a sacred instrument in Indigenous culture, symbolizing life and the beating heart,” said IPS Cst. Mark Janus. “For many, playing the drum is a healing process that brings power to its drummer. The drum is to be respected and taken care of as if it was a family member, and never to be used while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Placing a drum face down is like putting your grandmother’s face in the earth.”

RCMP say many officers have approached Cst. Bigcharles and Cst. Janus with interest in painting their drum and having it traditionally smudged. Police say it’s being planned, along with an upcoming spear-making session.