Hand Drum and Rattle Making Workshops at Kitchitwa Kateri Church

Deacon Michael Robinson is Anishinaabe and Catholic and serves as the Spiritual Director for Kitchitwa Kateri Church in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

He provides spiritual direction and counselling services for community members with a focus on Indigenous spirituality, reconciliation and healing and discovery of identity.

Central to these efforts is the revival of traditional singing and ceremonial practices deeply rooted in Indigenous cultures. Thanks to a grant from the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF), the church will be able to host a series of hand drum and rattle making workshops. Funding will cover the purchase of drum and moose rattle kits, as well as expenses for the hall rental, teacher honorariums, snacks, and ceremonial medicines for the workshops.

Incorporating drums and rattles holds significance beyond Indigenous ceremonies; it enriches the spiritual experience within the church setting. Bridging Indigenous spirituality with Catholicism represents a powerful step towards reconciliation and mutual understanding.

Diocese of Thunder Bay