I dedicate this recording to @glenn-sogge who has a huge heart for sounds and a great ear for composition.
Recorded 09/04/16 starting at 6:20 AM EST in Mud Lake Bog from this location: 41.829888, -86.434760
Yesterday I attended the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi's Kee-Boon-Mein-Kaa ("I have quit picking huckleberries") Pow Wow on their land in Dowagiac Michigan. I was deeply moved by their drumming, singing, and dancing. I find their notion of inter-tribal participation particularly inspiring, where multiple cultures share their traditions in harmony.
Often, in my field recordings I struggle with what I feel like are intrusions from the human domain, spoiling an otherwise pristine natural environment. In my mind's ear I can imagine what these places must have sounded like before human development encroached on the edges. Mud Lake Bog is a reclaimed dump which was rehabilitated in the 1980s as a preserve. It is close to human settlements, roads, and flight paths. At first I was annoyed by the sounds of vehicles impinging on the sounds of nature. But then I remembered I drove there in my car and contributed to this sort of sound in the environment. I then thought of the inter-tribal dance procedure where different groups of drummers and singers take turns playing for the dancers. Often, there is a specific song requested but occasionally they open it up to "singer's choice" where the group chooses whatever song from their repertoire best fits the moment. Maybe humans aren't great singers in their contribution to environmental sounds, but they do contribute. I am surprised in this recording how at times there almost seems to be calls and responses between the wildlife and human generated sounds. I can hope for a harmony of sorts.
Migwéch