Indigenous Drums

Handmade Indigenous Teueikan Drums from Quebec

Discover our Indigenous Teueikan drums, handmade in Quebec by Dave Verreault-Thisselmagan, an Ilnu artisan from Mashteuiatsh. Each drum is a unique piece crafted with carefully stretched deer hide over a natural wooden frame.

Drums hold an important place in culture and the passing on of knowledge. Their beats are often associated with the rhythm of living things and the heartbeat of Mother Earth. A drum can accompany singing, meditation, reflection, certain ceremonial practices or personal moments of connection.

Each piece is assembled individually for balanced hide tension and a living resonance. The drum is then signed by the artisan and comes with its handmade beater.

A practice rooted in transmission

For Dave, making a Teueikan is closely tied to his Pekuakamiulnuatsh roots and family history. His Thisselmagan family includes drum carriers, and this heritage informs his relationship with the instrument and his way of making it.

Each hide is stretched patiently and carefully so that, once dry, the drum develops a deep, balanced vibration. The work proceeds slowly, with attention to the material and the particular rhythm of each creation.

Deer hide, natural wood and materials from the land

These drums are made primarily with Quebec deer hide and natural wood. Depending on the piece, the hide may remain natural, be dyed or be hand-painted to give each instrument its own character.

The beaters are also made by hand and may include moose hide, fur and other natural materials chosen to complement the drum.

Every drum has its own voice

Natural, dyed or painted, each drum has its own shades, tension and resonance. Even when a design returns, no drum is replicated exactly.

Choosing a handmade Indigenous drum means choosing an individually crafted piece where sound, material and intention come together.

Meet the artisan behind these creations

Explore the story of the drum and the heartbeat of Mother Earth