Playing and singing with the drum is an important part of the life of group singer William McKinney who recently played and sang at the Eagles Fire Youth Sexual Exploitation Awareness event with his group North Wolf Ojibway. McKinney shares his passion for drumming.

William McKinney"We are combined of different nations gathering together at a drum," says McKinney. "We sing in ceremony. We sing in celebration for the life of a new beginning, and sometimes we sing for healing. We sing for a wellness of our people."

He says it's important to know what songs to sing at certain ceremonies and events, with hopes of bettering those who attend. Humbleness is an important aspect of the effort. McKinney adds the greatest challenge is ensuring the language they use is represented properly. Songs include languages of Ojibway, Cree, and Dakota. Lyrics speak of invitations to come and dance, or about the feathers, their belts and outfits they wear, as well as the feeling they get at a gathering. He adds round-dance songs often include English.

McKinney has been playing since he was twelve years old, and he joined the North Wolf Ojibway group a few years after it first started in 1990.