ART THERAPY CLASSES
I will be hosting drum designing and painting classes openly and privately at KD’s Cafe in Parksville B.C. , on beautiful Vancouver Island. Contact me to find times on the weekends for my classes, or you can book evening classes starting at 7 pm Mon-Fri.
DRUM DANCE AND FITNESS
I will be teaching some traditional wellness activities that incorporate meditative stretching, breathing and dance moves. I will be referring to our Strong Nations YOGA/Meditation Cards (Yoga reference cards can be purchased at strongnations.com online store)
I share my own drum training stories and blend the cultural and health benefits of drum vibrations, all flowing together with some fitness drum dance routines.
Most importantly I teach about Traditional a Tsimshian protocol that shows respect of the origins of my teachings.
SPECIAL NEEDS DRUM SESSIONS
You can book private in home sessions with me or book a time on the weekend or week days.
I work with all special needs people where we focus on introduction to the drum and it’s vibrations and gently experiment with the different drum beats that make wonderful connections into the brain and bodies of all participants.
I am not certified through any training programs other than my own training from numerous drum teachers from my northern Tsimshian tribe and numerous other wonderful master drum singers in B.C.
MY DRUM EDUCATION
In 1980 I had an accident on my commercial fishing boat and during my recovery time I learned how to design, paint and carve totem poles, canoes, masks and how to make deer skin drums.
I really enjoyed learning so many different ways of expressing my creativity. I started by making wood carving tools from old files and leaf springs from cars. I learned how to sharpen them and how important it was to keep them super sharp all the time. Yes I have cut myself many times.
I was very fortunate to learn from some wonderful master carvers who had been practicing traditional Tsimshian style designs and wood carving techniques for many years. They had all grown up with their Aboriginal traditions as a daily way of life that had been passed on in their families for many generations.
As a child I was not taught about my Tsimshian Indian culture that originated from
my fathers side of my family.
I was born in a small rainy town called Prince Rupert, which located fairly close to the Alaska USA border.
My father was a fisherman and a basketball player and my mom was a Norwegian housewife.
In 1980 I had an accident on my commercial fishing boat and during my recovery time I learned how to design, paint and carve totem poles, canoes, masks and how to make deer skin drums.
I really enjoyed learning so many different ways of expressing my creativity. I started by making wood carving tools from old files and leaf springs from cars. I learned how to sharpen them and how important it was to keep them super sharp all the time. Yes I have cut myself many times.
I was very fortunate to learn from some wonderful master carvers who had been practicing traditional Tsimshian style designs and wood carving techniques for many years. They had all grown up with their Aboriginal traditions as a daily way of life that had been passed on in their families for many generations.
After a couple years of building up my native art career I became a lot more interested in researching my Tsimshian Traditional art and drum dancing and was very fortunate to be able to spend some quality time with an elder by the name Old Joe, Joe Morrison.
He really tested me about my seriousness and encouraged me to truly respect our culture and the values of the stories and songs.
After eating many fish eyeballs and smoked eulican fish he opened up some very wonderful stories about his childhood and how he learned about the traditional dances, stories and the intricacies of the secret societies.
He taught me some songs and dance moves that tied in with the style of drumming he taught me, all the way through encouraging my respect towards our ancestral roots.
My Granny Maude Helin was the same way about what she shared with me but unfortunately I was too young and uninterested in her stories until many years later.
My 3rd inspirational teacher of drum dance and song was with a famous Haida Gwaii artist, Robert Davidson. Robert had told me that his family had been gifted one of our Gitsees Tribal songs that told the story of dispute resolution and unity, through a song about the Eagle and the Feather of Friendship.
To this very day I practice my drumming and singing pretty much every day, and I teach about our wonderful Tsimshian Culture in many different schools and art show venues. Most importantly i have used my drum for self preservation, strengthening and healing and pounding away negative EMPs, especially 5G.
DRUM MAKING AND DRUM DANCE RETREATS -On hold until we get free of the controllers planDemic
My new drum dance retreats will feature drum making, painting your Animal Life Crest Design on your personal drum project.
Then you can play your own drum indoors for meditation and stretching, fitness and breathing therapy as well.
Great traditional First Nations foods and storytelling and drumming around an outdoor fire pit.
Call or text me for rates and scheduled events at: 250-240-1007
Or email: billhelin@gmail.com
