This handcrafted drum was created by Nimkii Osawamick, an Odawa and Potawatomi artist from Wiikwemkoongsing Unceded Territory and a member of the Bear Clan.

Nimkii is a singer with over 20 years of experience, sharing cultural teachings through song, ceremony, and artistic expression. His work reflects a strong commitment to community, the transmission of Indigenous knowledge, and the strengthening of cultural identity through both music and art.

The drum represents the heartbeat of Mother Earth, a sacred symbol grounded in the four elements—fire, water, earth, and air. Constructed using a cedar frame, rawhide, and acrylic paint, the piece brings together traditional materials with contemporary artistic expression.

Inspiration for the drum comes from the matriarchs in Nimkii’s life and from his daughter’s experience of seeing women represented in hockey. That moment shaped her understanding of what is possible, reinforcing the importance of visibility and representation in sport. The drum reflects these ideas while remaining rooted in Indigenous teachings and cultural meaning.

As both a ceremonial and artistic object, the piece connects sound, story, and identity, highlighting the role of tradition in contemporary spaces and the continued impact of women’s hockey within Indigenous communities.

Proceeds from the auction of this piece will support the Little Native Hockey League, an organization dedicated to providing opportunities for Indigenous youth to participate in hockey while fostering community, cultural pride, and connection through sport.