Students from the Jordan School District Native American Program recently gathered for a powerful hands-on workshop led by Jacob Crane, Executive Director of the nonprofit Cultural Fire Events. Under Mr. Crane’s guidance, students crafted their own traditional hand drums using maple wood and deer hide. The event was designed to be more than a lesson on making musical instruments, it served as a way to build cultural bonds among the District’s Native American students. Mr. Crane, who has taught traditional dance for over 20 years, shared how these instruments bridge communities and preserve ancestral songs.
By the end of the session, each student walked away with a custom drum they had laced and stretched by hand. The workshop provided a space for students to connect with their identity and learn the technical skills of a centuries-old art form.
Great job to the staff in the Jordan Native American Program for creating such a meaningful event, and thank you to Jacob Crane for sharing his decades of expertise. This event was a great way for students to carry forward the traditions of native song and drum.