The skin used is Elk: Elk have stamina, Strength, Nobility, Elk teaches us how to pace ourselves.

The wood used in the hoop is Canadian Maple: It has been said in folk lore that passing a young child through the branches of a maple tree is good luck, brings good health, and a long life for children. Maple is said to bring success and abundance.

Before making any tool such as drums or rattles, I first smudge myself and the skin saying a prayer to the animal that sacrificed itself for this special work.
I feel that it is important that the essence of the animal that gave up it’s skin know that it is being used in the creation of sacred tools.

The process I use to dye the skin for my drums is as simple as it is ancient
Using a combination of beet and pomegranate juice that I extract myself, as well as several different local herbs I allow the skins to sit overnight so that they soak up as much color as possible. it is said that Pomegranate and beet juices were among the first plant dyes used in ancient times.

If you click on the bottom of the image below you will be able to hear what these drums sound like.