Ollin

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Ollin is an organization that operates at the intersections of art, holistic health, and community. Their focus is on fostering spaces of inclusion, diversity, equity, and strong relationships between people and Mother Earth through drum circles. Ollin was founded and led by Yessica Rivera Belsham, a nurse, community artist and activist, and passionate drummer who is Indigenous to the tail end of Turtle Island in Mexico. Ollin reflects Yessica’s values for care, celebrating life, and honouring Ancestors and loved ones.

In Yessica’s own words, “Ollin is about… connecting to the self, connecting to each other within a circle, connecting to the community abroad, and always with connections to Mother Earth.” Yessica explains, "some people pronounce it all-in, and for me, it's all in together. In the Nahuatl language, some people translate 'Ollin' to 'earthquake' (and) some translate it to 'movement of the earth.'" For Yessica, this was perfect; the name "Ollin" connects to her efforts to bring together community, art, holistic health, and wellness while bringing people together in the drum circle. 

Doing things with intention, with strength, community, an open heart, and an open mind, Yessica tells us that through the vibration, drum circles are, in some ways, the movement of the Earth.  Accessibility is a major focus of Ollin and the drum circle. The drum circle symbolizes how we are all part of a community with no hierarchies and as a form it is designed to be open and welcoming to all abilities and bodies.  When discussing her approach to inclusivity and accessibility Yessica emphasizes that we all have relationships, histories, and ancestors to be honoured and through Ollin she aims to bring kindness, compassion, and wellness to all and hopes to inspire others to do the same.

Ollin hosts drum circles at a wide variety of events. Some of these past events are National Indigenous Peoples Day, World's Indigenous Peoples Day, Kingston Multicultural Festival, and several others. These events highlight the diversity of Indigenous peoples from around the world living in Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee territory. In 2022, she has collaborated with her husband (Algonquin) in support of youth mental health. For Yessica, this is special because it allows her to share traditions that have been passed down to her, connecting her cultural background with her home and community in Kingston. Yessica has received permission to share her songs that have been gifted from the original caretakers of the traditional music and knowledge she carries and shares. She takes responsibility for honouring the ancestors and keepers of these songs seriously and always shares the values of respect and reciprocity.

On Earth Day, New Climate Stories and Ollin collaborated to host a combined drum circle and t-shirt making event in Skeleton Park. This event was designed to be inclusive, using art to show appreciation for Mother Nature. Participants were invited to engage in the event as spectators, drummers, singers, dancers, and visual artists. You can see more from the event by checking out this newspaper article featuring the Celebrate Earth Day event.

Goulem, B. (2022, April 22). Drop-in Earth Day celebration planned for McBurney Park. The Kingston Whig Standard.