An Instrument of War and Peace (Rebeca Marte)

 Teaching Guide

An Instrument of War and Peace:

Drums


Activity Overview:

  During this activity, students will explore the dual nature of drums as both an instrument/tool for military communication and indigenous cultural celebration.  This interactive session begins with an introduction to the role of military drums during the War of 1812 at Fort York, emphasizing their use in signaling commands and organizing troops.  Students will hear historical drum calls and be prompted to ask questions to deepen their understanding.  The focus will then shift to Indigenous drumming traditions, highlighting their peaceful and ceremonial purposes.  Led by an Indigenous leader, students will learn about the drum as the “heartbeat of Mother Earth” and participate in a communal drumming activity.  This exercise will help students understand how the same instrument can serve vastly different purposes across cultures, one as a tool of conflict and the other as a means of connection and celebration.  By engaging in both learning and practice, students will reflect on the broader themes of war and peace, gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation for Canadian history.

Target Audience:

  • Age Range: 11–14 years old

  • Group Size: School groups (20-30 participants)

  • Activity Duration: Approximately one hour

  • Location: On-site at Fort York (utilizing outdoor space)

Learning Objectives:

Participants will:

  1. Understand the role of drums in military communication at Fort York during the War of 1812.
  2. Gain insight into Indigenous cultural practices that emphasize peace, connection, and healing through drumming.

Materials:

  • Historical military drum from Fort York’s collection or replica.
  • Audio recordings of military drum calls.
  • Ceremonial Indigenous drum or replica.
  • Portable drums or percussion instruments for participant use.

Session Structure (one hour):

1. Introduction: The Dual Role of Drums (5 minutes)

  • Welcome participants and introduce the theme.
    “Today, we’ll explore how drums have been used in very different ways in the past, both for war and for peace”...

2. Drums of War: The Military Context (15 minutes)

  • Show a historical military drum, explaining its role in communication during the War of 1812.
    • Drums were used to signal commands, organize troops, and maintain morale.
    • Discuss Fort York’s role as a military stronghold.
  • Play audio clips of drum calls and allow students to guess their meanings.
  • Encourage questions such as: “Why do you think drums were important on the battlefield?”

3. Drums of Peace: Indigenous Cultural Practices (15 minutes)

  • Introduce Indigenous leader
  • Present an Indigenous ceremonial drum and explain its sacred role in cultural practices.
    • Drums symbolize the heartbeat of Mother Earth.
    • They are used in ceremonies to promote healing, gratitude, and peace.
  • Share a story or example of how Indigenous communities used drumming to unite and celebrate.
  • Invite questions like: “How does drumming bring people together?”

4. Drumming for Unity: Celebrating Peace Together (30 minutes)

  • Activity: The Indigenous leader will guide the group in a communal drumming exercise:
    • Teach participants a simple rhythm with a deeper significance.
    • Use gentle movement to enhance the experience, encouraging connection.
    • Pause to reflect on the activity.
    • Ask students: “How did you feel while drumming? How does this connect to the idea of peace?”

 

Supplementary Activities:


Activity 1: Create Your Own Drum Design

  Design your own drum, reflecting either a historical or cultural perspective.  Decorate it with symbols or colours of your preferred choice.

Activity 2: Explore Drum Signals

  Research different drum signals used in military history or traditional drum songs in Indigenous cultures.  Listen to the audio clips of military drum commands (available online) and compare them with Indigenous drumming, reflecting on the emotions or messages each conveys.


Recommended Resources for Extended Learning

  1. Video: Drums Across Cultures – A short documentary available on YouTube that compares drumming traditions globally.


Reflection Questions for Discussion or Journaling

  • How does the drum’s purpose change depending on who is using it?
  • Can you think of other objects in your life that mean different things to different people?
  • Why is it important to learn about the history and traditions of others?

...


Why is this project important for Fort York outreach?

  This project is important because it connects Fort York's military history with Indigenous peoples' too-often-ignored rich traditions through the shared use of a cultural object.  Drums may seem like simple instruments, but have vastly different purposes, depending on the group of people who use them and the time period (context of environment).  By exploring these differences, the project encourages participants to think critically about how shared objects can embody contrasting values and histories, which will in turn create an opportunity for greater understanding and respect for diverse cultural narratives existing in Toronto today.


Why have you chosen to focus on these particular objects/community/site?

  I chose to focus on drums at Fort York because they are a powerful symbol of both conflict and connection.  Drums played a critical role in Fort York’s military history, used by British troops to communicate commands and coordinate on the battlefield.  At the same time, drums hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for Indigenous peoples, representing unity, ceremony, and peace.  This contrast provides a meaningful way to explore how the same object can carry different meanings across communities.  Fort York itself is the perfect site for this exploration, as it stands at the intersection of these two histories, colonial and Indigenous.  By using this space, students can engage with the land where these histories unfolded, making their learning experience more tangible and impactful.