Taking a seat in the circle: Decolonizing gender roles that argue against the participation of feminine bodies at the Big Drum

Author

• Juli Suzukawa, Cal Poly HumboldtFollow

Graduation Date

Spring 2026

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Master of Arts degree with a major in Social Science, Environment and Community

Committee Chair Name

Dr. Cutcha Risling Baldy

Committee Chair Affiliation

Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff

Second Committee Member Name

Dr. Cinthya Ammerman Muñoz

Second Committee Member Affiliation

Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff

Third Committee Member Name

Lonyx Landry

Third Committee Member Affiliation

Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff

Keywords

Indigenous knowledge, Queer Indigenous identities, Big Drum, Social drumming

Abstract

The origins of the Big Drum can be traced back to the 1860s when Tail Feather Woman, a Dakota woman, had a vision of its creation as a tool of resistance. The Big Drum has since expanded and can now be seen at various Indigenous ceremonies and social events. However, there has been controversy regarding the participation of feminine and queer bodies. While reasons for this vary, it has also contributed to harm amongst Indigenous youths that have a more fluid stand on gender identity and may not conform to colonial “gender norms”. In this paper, I will explore how Big Drum groups, like The Mankillers, have been an influential figure and can help make social drum spaces more inclusive for all Indigenous peoples. Using a qualitative research approach, I will conduct a group interview with the Indian Natural Resources, Sciences, and Engineering Program (INRSEP) Student Drum, a Big Drum group composed of Indigenous, Cal Poly Humboldt students, to gain a better understanding of how the Big Drum has impacted this group personally and/or culturally. The goal of this paper is to highlight how transformative the Big Drum can be for Indigenous peoples and to broaden our understanding of how inclusivity, whether it is through gender or culture/tribe, should allow space for all Indigenous peoples that want a seat in the circle.

Citation Style

APA

Recommended Citation

Suzukawa, Juli, "Taking a seat in the circle: Decolonizing gender roles that argue against the participation of feminine bodies at the Big Drum" (2026). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 2589.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/2589