Sault to host world drumming festival

Traditional drummers from Hawaii, Polynesia, Ireland, Inuvik and across North America will be coming to the Sault this summer for what organizers are calling the First Annual Echoes of the World Drumming Festival.

Conceived by Jackie Fletcher and Shirley Horn, the event is intended to celebrate drumming, dance and related traditions, and to link the Sault to a diversity of international cultures.

The event is planned for Friday, June 20 and Saturday, June 21 of this year. It's expected to involve a number of venues including the Roberta Bondar Pavilion, Clergue and Bellevue Parks, the Art Gallery of Algoma, and Algoma University College.

Fletcher and Horn have already enlisted support from the Community Development Corporation of Sault Ste. Marie and Area, as well as Mushkegowuk Tribal Council, AUC, the Art Gallery of Algoma, and other government departments and businesses.

24-hour drumming

"We believe that the festival will become a widely known and acclaimed international visitor attraction for Sault Ste. Marie and area," the two say in a letter to Sault Ste. Marie City Council.

Plans include a sacred fire, sweat lodge, healing ceremonies, a downtown parade and a 24-hour period of drumming (at night, this will take place inside the Art Gallery of Algoma to avoid disturbing the neighbours).

The date was set to coincide with National Aboriginal Day and Summer Solstice, which both occur on June 21.

Fletcher and Horn are asking the City for numerous venue approvals, waiving or minimizing of fees, and for access to organizational advice from City staff.