By the Buffalo

They say writing the "About Me" is the hardest part. I believe them!

My name is Chip Geiger and I among other things am a Drum Maker. I am the proud father of two grown sons who don't call their father often enough. After spending most of my life living in the Fox River Valley area in Wisconsin, I had the opportunity to start a new life in the wonderful woods of Waushara County .
It feels to me like I am living out a dream . The Creator has blessed me with a means to pay the bills by driving truck for Weiland Trucking and the time and materials to pursue my passion of drum making.
Some 19 years ago I began a journey that was filled with many blessings and gifts. Until that time my road was a trail ruled by drugs and alcohol and all of the dysfunction that addiction brings. It was a true gift from the Creator when I was able to surrender and begin to turn my life around. Ten years into my sobriety, still searching for a connection to my Higher Power , I found myself in a Lakota sweat lodge and knew I had found home. It did not and still does not make sense that a white man of Polish and German decent would find his connection to God in such a way. I have since learned that it does not matter how I got there. It matters that I have and that I do good things with the gifts given to me. I was given the gift of the drum and songs and often sing and drum in ceremony to help the people.

I am an ordinary man that has been given a gift that needs to be shared. I needed a drum when the songs started coming to me and I could not bring myself to simply go out and buy one. I felt the need to be able to put my own prayers and self into my drum. Having had some background in taxidermy and woodworking I began my drum making journey. The first thing I did was participate in a drum making workshop that was held on the Oneida Reservation. My first drum was a disaster. That experience made me even more determined to learn how to build quality drums.

Over the years and after much trial and error I now make high quality buffalo drums. I use buffalo almost exclusively for a couple of reasons. First of all I feel a deep spiritual connection to the buffalo. They are known as the great providers and gave the native peoples the things they needed to live. Food, shelter, tools and clothing were just a few of their gifts. The bison is also a symbol of great abundance. They once roamed the land great numbers. They gave themselves so that the people could live. Secondly the Creator put the buffalo before me and with me. Ever since I began making drums I have had wonderful sources for the buffalo hides I use to make the drums. It is a great feeling to know that the hides I use, will be utilized in a good way and that the animals spirit will live on in a special drum. The Creator has made it possible for me to share my gift and I am guided to share that gift with you.