Light Network Spotlight: Wakan Drums in Fairfield, Ohio

Meet Chuck and his drums

Chuck Wilson is the creator of Wakan Drums. He describes the work as sacred drums honoring the trees, tribes, cultures and beliefs of the world. He first showed his drums at a powwow in August 2019, the Festival of the Rivers in Arlington, Washington, and has been making them ever since.

Chuck is open about where the work comes from. He explains on his website that the name Wakan, a Lakota word with a broad meaning that includes sacred, spiritual and mysterious, was chosen after speaking with a tribal friend. He says the drums are his own contemporary expression and are not reproductions of any tribe’s sacred or ceremonial drums, and that he is not claiming Lakota identity or ceremonial knowledge. Some influences come from Pacific Northwest and Lakota teachings and other Indigenous traditions, and he says those should be acknowledged honestly.

A frame built from many woods

Chuck says each frame is handcrafted, not a laminated frame, and is made from many different rough woods. Every kind of wood carries its own history and character, and his website has Sacred Trees pages that describe the meaning of the woods he uses. Crushed stones, fibers and personal client items can be built into the frame, and a strength ring made of basalt rock fiber sits under the hide. The drums come in 12, 14, 16 and 18 inch sizes, in round and flat sided shapes, and he has also made seven and thirteen sided drums.

Drums are made with hides such as horse and buffalo. When a drum calls to you, Chuck asks you to email him with your questions and he will send a quote that includes shipping to your location. He can also add your own bits of gemstones or other items into a frame build, and he will hold a short Zoom drum journey with a few drums to help you choose.

Freyja, the first drum

Chuck’s first drum was a bear drum named Freyja, made in July 2018. His website tells the story of Freyja and how the vision for the Wakan Drums grew from her, and you can read it on his Drum Maker page. Freyja is one of the personal working drums Chuck keeps for his sessions.

Drumming journey sessions

Chuck offers one on one sessions in which you choose a Wakan Drum to hold over your heart while he guides you into a quiet, meditative state for a spirit journey. He quietly plays another drum during the session, and he describes the focus as helping you learn to connect with your own guides in your own way. Sessions can be as short as thirty minutes and can run longer. They can be held in his home office in Fairfield, at your location or on a Zoom type call, and Chuck also offers group drumming journeys in person or online. Please contact him by email to book a time and ask about fees.

Carved totem drumsticks

Chuck makes carved totem drumsticks in 12 and 15 inch lengths, made to order from hardwoods such as cherry, maple, walnut and hickory. The formline artwork on the totem series was created by Michael D. Williams, who is of Tsimshian and Tlingit heritage, and Chuck worked it into the design and crafted the drumsticks. You can find the drumsticks in the Wakan Drums Etsy shop. Michael also makes the drum bags for Wakan Drums.

Chuck shares free drum journey recordings on the Wakan Drums podcast.

Chuck’s drums and sessions are for personal reflection and spiritual exploration and are not a substitute for medical care.

Visit Wakan Drums

Wakan Drums is in Fairfield, Ohio. Find everything at wakandrums.com and email wakandrums@gmail.com.

Visit Wakan Drums

With love, Infused Lights. This spotlight is part of the Infused Lights Light Network, a free directory of friends doing light filled work. Photos courtesy of Chuck Wilson (wakandrums.com), used with credit and a link back to their site.