My Drum spoke!

 Residential Treatment

        On the 2nd of Dec, 2019 I rolled up to a Detox/Treatment center. I was admitting for the first time in my life that I needed help. In selecting this center I was scrutinizing, doing my research thoroughly. I came across this one that was Holistic in nature, aside from the typical counselling, both one on one and in group , there was a number of other features such as Art, music, drum therapy, I actually took my own drum because of this, physical attributes like an an on site gym, yoga classes, nature walks and the food!! OMG The food was amazing, it was action packed days chalk full of nutrition breaks. It is safe to say all my needs were being met, and I needed only to focus on my recovery.

On A Binge

        In the days leading up to that point I had partied pretty hardy! To be honest as a chronic alcoholic it is more like years, but this was more focused like I was savoring every last moment. Normally I had been a get drunk fast as you can kind of drunk, but this time I was pacing myself for a long run. I wanted to be drinking from time I woke until the time I passed out. I was in essence saying "so long" to that which I loved the most! How sad is that? I had soo many nights was the last hurrah, last one in Anacla, Lower and Upper, last one in Bamfield, last, last house party. I literally drank during every waking moment in the week leading up to my arrival at the Treatment center. I was on a mission to say the least. 

Detox

        I went in pretty hot, I was sober but I knew that the detox was going to be tough. I was Hot all the time I had my bedroom window opened around the clock. Finally after four exhausting days and nights my body had finally burned off the alcohol. I began to regulate and for the first time closed my window and opened the heating vent. My warming room was relaxing me. So, much so that my drum warmed too. As I was falling asleep after programing and before the evening meet. I heard my drum as though it off in a distance. Ping one time as to get my attention, and then a pause then a ping, ping, another pause then another ping, ping. The first one got my attention but I was still in the sleepy trance, the second one was like my heartbeat a double beat, I could feel it echo deep into my soul. The third time I opened my eyes I got up immediately and grabbed my drum. 

Reunion

        I realize this may seem odd, but I really do feel like I had a reunion with my drum. As if my drum were to say to me "there you are, I was looking for you." I have had my drum for years, I use it often. The reunion I think was with my spirit and mind clear of substances. I was full of emotion I started to drum, just drumming for some time mimicking that pattern of when "My Drum Spoke"  bringing to life the heartbeat of my Ancient Spirit.  I am forever grateful I took my drum with me, for my drum reunited me to my spirit guide. 

Spirit Guide within

        I was waiting and waiting to see what song was going to present as I was drumming the heartbeat of our People. I could feel an urge so overwhelming I had to comply. I began to howl, and howl some more then I followed that beat and began to sing my "Teachings of the Wolf Song". My drum was not only calling me but calling my spirit guide as well. My Spirit Guide represents all of which I was missing as an Addict and  an Alcoholic that connection to my family, children, siblings, and ancestors alike. Connections deeper than that of my physical limitations. In my time as a lost soul I mistook alone and lonely and used that as my motivating factor to drink and suppress my spirit.  

It works, If you Work it

        The teachings of the wolf songs became my anthems in Rehab. I reconnected to my own songs at that healing center because my own songs are representative of my healing journey I started decades ago. I lost my way in the chaos of Addictions & Alcoholism. Now because "My Drum Spoke" I make it a point to drum and sing everyday. I even today I make it a point to say Drumming and Singing I believe it was the most overlooked part of all my Ancient Spirit tools because it has always been right by side, hiding in plain sight. I have a greater respect for my drum, for my drum reunited me with my guiding spirit. Dec 6th, 2019 at 4:44 pm My Drum Spoke!! I am glad to have listened. 

Teachings of the Wolf

It works, if you work it, and you're worth it! Is a slogan amongst AA or Red Road practitioners. I like the fact that it applies to my drum as well. It works if I work it. 

I need my Drum as my Drum needs me!! 

Wolf and The People of The Wolf Clan!

 

Canis Lupus Crassodon * Vancouver Island Wolf * Quiet~seek

     Canis Lupus Crassodon: Or the Vancouver Island Grey Wolf, is as unique to this world as the people whom first worshiped this incredibly fierce, and powerful predator!  

     Wolf clan: I am, as all of my people are, belonging to the Wolf Clan.  I am Nuu-chah-nulth-aht or the "People of the Mountains Facing the Ocean" and all of our peoples are Wolf Clan or they are not Wolf Clan. It is quite simple, yet to this day it is still considered the most sacred of all ceremonies is that initiation into the Clan. It is not my intention to divulge the society secrets, not at all, my intention is to simply share the intrigue  that surrounds the Vancouver Island Grey Wolf. One other connecting facts. Disturbing fact but not irreversible, is the fact that both the Wolf  and the language of the people whom first worship the Wolf are both considered endangered. What can we do?

"Quiet~Seek" The spirit guide,
and companion to life.

      The Language:  To promote usage of my endangered language, I will from here on out use Quiet~Seek the Vancouver Island Grey Wolf original Nuu-chah-nulth name. It is spelled here for general public. I believe that the Quiet~Seek is one that people will remember, for the wolf surly has many more names than this, and that is part of the fame of Quiet~Seek. I will continue to add some more "ququ?aca"  The Language Of the People (Nuu-chah-nulth) as I move along on my story here. I hope you enjoy,

     Quiet~Seek Physical Characteristics: Their size 60-90 lbs among the Quiet~Seek that is a medium size, or the size of a typical German Shepard. From nose to tail approximately 4-5 feet for adults, and live in packs usually of consisting of 4-9 members in rare cases they pack can grow exponentially and have up to 35 plus pack members. Appearance wise they can vary like all grey wolves they can be Grey, black, brown, reddish brown, and even white. Their diet like other wolves is largely Ungulates such as White Tail Deer and Roosevelt Elk. The Quiet~Seek also very adaptive and will harvest salmon from spawning rivers. They will forage just like the Nuu-chah-nulth the tidal zones to find the most bountiful area for mollusks like Clams, mussels, and oysters etc. The Quiet~Seek maximized all food sources within their territory.

     Happy Singing People: A famed author in our country the Nuu-chah-nult; Dr George Clutesi Of the People Of Tseshaht, and it was he whom first coined the phrase; "They were a happy singing people" in his early play write days. He shone a spotlight on our people and the love of music that is within each of us! On the West Coast of Vancouver Island we the Nuu-chah-nulth have songs for any and all occasions. To name some key events in which a song is in order we have the following; birth, birthday's, for paddling, for going to war, to make peace, to grieve, to finish grieving, to be happy, and most importantly to gift give.


Who~haa "Howl": Ironically the Quiet~Seek also sing for any and all occasions. In the wild the Quiet~Seek will howl for the sake of howling, to harmonize, to celebrate life, to mourn death of a pack member, to go into battle, stand their ground if defending territory, and most commonly to sing to the full moon. This could be case for famed Irish poet and novelist quote by Oscar Wilde: “Paradoxically though it may seem, it is none the less true that life imitates art far more than art imitates life.” Now I wonder do the Quiet~Seek imitate Nuu-chah-nulth or vice verse? It does indeed pose a good question, and I for one can not say for certain, as these are traits that the Quiet~Seek and The Nuu-chah-nulth have had in common for centuries. I know only this for certain, the Quiet~Seek like to Who~haa as much as the people of Nuu-chah-nulth like to sing. 

What Can We Do for the Nuu-chah-nulth language? I will continuously promote usage of the language. I will add to the vocabulary in each blog entry, I will use all my skills to re-vitalize the language I love. I will do as the wolf does use my language and clearly communicate within my family group or pack. I will continue to sing my songs, for in each song is a hidden treasure of the language of the people. Songs inspire words, inspires story, and that story connects back to a family. The songs are my guide, like the Whoo~haa is the guide for the Quiet~Seek , the songs will guide my my spirit to the Language that I Love!

What Can We Do For The Quiet~Seek?: For the Quiet~seek best thing we can do is understand that top predators are indeed a Key Stone Species.  Wolves being a top predator, wolves are important in many habitats. Wolves keep deer populations in check and too many deer will eat small trees, which leads to fewer trees. In turn, there would be fewer birds and beavers and the whole ecosystem would change. They are also responsible for causing improvements on the rivers that surround their territory. The rivers are effected by the consumption of vegetation by ungulates is thus restrained, giving many riparian areas a chance to recover. Where the Quiet~Seek reside, life is abundant. They need their space, they need for their habitat to remain wild as they are. To much development equals habituation, and Quiet~Seek habituation equals certain death. A habituated Quiet~Seek is a dead one, keep the wolves wild, and the people will be safe! 

Hish~uk~ish~tsa~walk: Ancient principles guide the People of Nuu-chah-nulth to be more like the Quiet~Seek. Value your family, value your wolf pack, value the territory in which you depend on for survival, value the old for teaching the ways, value the young for learning, value everything and remember Hish~uk~ish~tsa~walk "Everything is One and Connected!" 

BY: WISH~KEY #WolfPack #NuuChahNulth #SkyOfNightWatcher #LifeLongLearner!!