Art Background
Paul-René at Canada Day Odanak Reserve, PQ, 1997 with Cécile Wawanolet & Molly Keating
Five Decades of Excellence ─ Our Story, the Origins & More
The name "Sunrise Drum" combines the Wôbanaki ('People of the 'Dawn' or 'Sunrise') with Paul-René's last name <Tamburro> meaning "drum." His Abenaki name, translated to him by Cécile Wawanolet (pictured in the far left), also contains the word 'drum': MôjassadopSpiwiPakholigan – "Began with a Drum." This name, given to him during his adolescent years while a participant in the East Coast "Powwow circuit," reflects a large amount of time spent sitting at the drum learning Northern, Southern, and Eastern song traditions.
Molly (on the far right of the picture) is wearing a broach PR-made. The name "Sunrise Drum" combines the Wôbanaki ('People of the 'Dawn' or 'Sunrise') with Paul-René's last name <Tamburro> meaning "drum." His Abenaki name, translated to him by Cécile Wawanolet, also contains the word 'drum': Môjassadop Spiwi Pakholigan – "Began with a Drum." This name, given to him during his adolescent years while a participant in the East Coast "Powwow circuit," reflects a large amount of time spent sitting at the drum learning Northern, Southern, and Eastern song traditions.
Over Fifty Years Learning Art & Culture
Paul-René Tamburro's art goals focus on continuing an expression of the Indigenous cultures of Eastern Turtle Island Peoples. He grew up surrounded by the First Nations perspectives from Elders and cultural participants, including years at pow-wows. Later, he has continued work in Indigenous communities as an educator, social worker, and artist. Today many people express pride in their Indigenous heritage or tribal/ band enrollment – language & culture have been harder to maintain. Sunrise Drum attempts to keep a high standard & a continuing expression for Eastern Woodland art in the World today.
PR's learning included an apprenticeship in chasing & repoussé in the 1970′s. He has worked in the Indigenous World all of his life. His ancestry is mixed Amerindian, European and African. He is enrolled in 2 state-recognized tribes. One from his family - the Nulhegan Abenaki (VT), & one, the Shawnee Piqua (AL) through marriage.
PR's Grandmothers' Shoes and Great Stories
During childhood, PR spent many summers with his grandmother. Here he was surrounded by beads, baskets, feathers, and beadwork such as his great-grandmother's moccasins in the picture. Also, he heard many stories of the family traveling up and down the St. Lawrence River to Newfoundland and back to Indian Reserves - the family lived in both places. He feels he was a strange child because no one else in the family wanted to be involved with the Native culture. He was sad to see so much potential lost and kept the desire to help continue the language and culture any way he could- including through his art and teaching.