Drummer felt disrespected by role in torch ceremony
Email
Print
Letter to Editor
Share
Dear editor
To the organizers of the Duncan Torch Relay celebrations, thank you very little.
You invited the Spirit Drummers to drum and sing. We conducted extra practices and brought together the greatest number of us for any one celebration since the opening ceremonies of NAIG. Our organizers worked very hard getting us ready.
Many of us were assembled by noon, awaiting the Torch as you requested. Among us were honoured Cowichan Elders. And it was a bit of a challenge for some of us to stand so long, awaiting our turn to share our happiness with everyone. Then the torch came and went. The other entertainers performed with great skill and happiness. I felt very happy watching them.
But as a member of the Spirit Drummers, I felt very disrespected! You invited us to participate. We showed up ready to drum and sing. And then we were never called to drum, much less even acknowledged for being there. Thank you for the invitation.
Some sort of apology wouldn’t be out of line. Do you have the courage to come to one of our practices and give us one?
Doug Wessel,
Cowichan
v2
