Confederated Tribes of Umatilla join with Pendleton city leaders for Two Cultures, One Community Powwow [Video]

This story originally appeared on Underscore.news.

When 10 sticks strike the big drum, it sends a heart-pounding message to those who hear it.

“A drum is a powerful instrument. It has its own spirit,” said Steve Wood, one of the original members of Northern Cree, arguably the best big drum and hand drum group in the world.

Northern Cree will be the host drum for the first Two Cultures, One Community Powwow Feb. 23, 24 and 25 at the Pendleton Convention Center.

A nine-time Grammy Award nominee, the group will travel to the Eastern Oregon community from their headquarters in Saddle Lake, near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The Northern Cree drum includes three teachers. Wood recently retired as a middle school administrator.

“We want to ensure what we call balance. Young people need to balance their lives between our own identity culturally and the need for a colonial education to survive,” said Wood, one of four brothers …