Adam Valdez

My name is Adam J Valdez, a Diné (Navajo) from the Salt People Clan, Bitter Water Clan, and Mexican People Clan. My passion for drumming began after hearing a story about my late grandfather, who dreamt of being a buffalo dancer but was discouraged because of his weight. That story stayed with me and led me to pow wows, where I studied dance, songs, and eventually the drum. I found a welcoming Native community in Denver that hosted weekly community nights. Although I came to learn dance, the drum called to me in a spiritual way. A mentor shared that the drum represents the heartbeat of Mother Earth, which deeply resonated with me. Later, with support from CSU’s Native American Culture Center, we created RECALMATION, a drum group that grew from five to twelve members. Since 2022, we’ve performed at pow wows and cultural events, building community and songs together.