Oki-Suni-dapi
My name is Gary Middle Rider Jr, I am a enrolled member of the Blackfoot nation in Browning MT. I am also Cree on my mothers side.
My Father Gary Sr. is a Blackfoot and Cree from Heart Butte MT and my mother Sharell Racine is Blackfoot and Cree from Browning MT.
I have been Pow-wowing for most of my life, dancing & singing. I enjoy the great outdoors hunting, fishing, camping etc.
I started making drums when I was in college a man by the name of John Stiff Arm from Ft. Belknap MT. taught me the drum making ways, I will always give thanks to him. He is a man of wisdom and humor one of the best human beings I have evevr met. @ the beginning I created my own drums from Buffalo and Beef hides. Since then I have made drums from almost any big animal in north America you can think of Except Grizzly. I have found many new ways in making drums and enjoy the time I spend on each one of them. In some ways its like meditation time when I work on drums. I get to sit there for hours peacefully working on them. Many times I have composed new pow-wow songs as I work. Only thing I need is my coffee and cigarettes.
I began making Hand Drums not to longafter the big pow-wow drums. This I taught myself, I have to this day used Deer, Elk, Horse, Moose, Goat and even Kangaroo to make Hand Drums. I have several ways of making them and am still coming up with others.
So that's about it, that's how I began to make drums and if you would like to view more pictures and things about me and my Family go to
Thank you and enjoy........
First Nation Drums
L to R Gary Middle Rider Jr, Keith Shoulder Blade, Oly Shoulder Blade, Thomas Shoulder Blade, Shawn Old Mouse & Kaden Shoulder Blade
