Native American Flute

Historically, relationships between European colonists and their descendants, on the one hand, and the native population of America, on the other, were extremely complex. Furthermore, from the start of European colonization of America, American Indians have become vulnerable to oppression and physical extinction because colonists wanted their lands and all the money, this moved settlers west; wreaking havoc, diseases and destruction of the traditional lifestyle of American Indians.  Coincidentally, throughout the history of relations between white Americans and Native Americans, the biased attitude to American Indians emerged and white Americans had become used to viewing them as a threat but American Indians were rather victims of white Americans, who oppressed Native Americans and forced them from their land causing numerous deaths and destruction of the traditional lifestyle of Native Americans.  Unbelievable that white men oppressed the Native Americans who were living on North America before their arrival.

Although Native Americans are known for their vocals being an important instrument, most rituals, songs, and dances come with an arrangement of instruments such as, drums, rattles, flutes. Every instrument has its own meaning and a purpose. The drums are a vital aspect to the Native American culture; they see the drum as more than an instrument. In a web article written by Elisa Throp entitled, “The importance of drums to Native American culture”, Elisa says, “It is a Voice. It is a Heartbeat. It is a prayer to the Great Spirit. The Native American Drum is these things, and more.” The drums are what the Native Americans use to communicate with The Great Spirit.  According to the article, drumming is critical in education to talk about history, pass down ancient tradition, and tell stories to new generations. There are a few different types of drums that are used throughout the Native American culture: the skin drum, frame drum, and the water drum. Each with a different functionality and sound. Also, they have had influence on modern-day percussion instruments. The skin drums, which are used in the central areas of Rockies and in the Northern Plains, are composed of a single tanned hide wrapped around a wooden box and found wrapped around the player's chest.

From the 1500s through the 1700s, Native Americans borrowed and created many European musical instruments and genres.  Soon after the Europeans came to the United States, European influences would teach American Indians how to construct their instruments.  By the 1550s, there were more Indian church musicians than needed.  Furthermore, it is apparent that American Indians were very involved in their cultures music.  Europeans and Native Americans in Central Mexico, the Andes, and some