Jim Williams, Sr., an elder of the Lac Vieux Desert Ojibwe band in Watersmeet, Michigan, heard elders sing at feasts, pow wows and ceremonies while growing up. He went on to start a traditional drum group called the Lac Vieux Desert Singers who are featured in this film along with the Four Thunders drum, a group that also includes the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and Sault Ste. Marie bands, and singers from Marquette.