Ottawa (July 19/04) - Lynda Brown's love of Inuit cultural traditions have taken her to Scandinavia.

The Sun's Drum, an Ottawa-based troupe of four women originally from Panniqtuuq and Iglulik who do throatsinging and drum dancing demonstrations, recently travelled to a four-day folk festival in Norway.

The four performed at the opening ceremonies in front of the Queen of Norway.

"She was right in front and she was smiling at us," said Brown.

The Sun's Drum conducted a three-hour workshop, representing North America in a quick 15-minute performance called "The Four Continents," and their last performance was with a Sami group.

"We throatsang while they were yokelling," said Brown.

Yokelling is a traditional Sami singing style.

They also made a big impression performing in a parade during the festival.

"People were chasing us from street to street. They were just enthralled. People said it made the hairs on their arms stand up."

The four women in The Sun's Drum -- Lynda Brown, Emily Karpik, Emily Kotierk and Tracy Brown -- began performing four years ago to learn more about their culture, and share it with others. Since then rehearsals have become more fun than work.

"It's a blast," said Brown. "We've grown close together."

But since they all either work full-time or are in school, they can't accept all the performance invitations they receive, or always get all four of them together for an event.

"This summer Tracy and I are doing a few shows alone," said Brown.

"We're really fortunate to be able to hire a manager to take over the administrative end."

If Sun's Drum can't accept the invitation, Brown said they always pass the opportunity on to another group who may be able to attend.

Despite having performed at high profile events in front of the Queen of Norway and the Prime Minister, Brown said the most memorable performances are the laid back ones.

"There was one at the currency museum on Valentine's Day, where we were trying different things and getting the audience involved. We had more flexibility. We prefer the ones where we can explain what we're doing."

Brown was born in Nunavut but grew up in southern Canada. She learns about her culture by performing with Sun's Drum and enjoys conveying Inuit culture to others.

"It's a gateway for me to re-learn what I had when I was little. My son performed with us for the first time recently. The important part is to pass it on."

At first, the four performed in their own mismatched amautis and kamiks. Then the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation gave them a grant to get four matching outfits made for them. That also became an educational experience.

"Emily Karpik's mom made them and we watched how they were made," said Brown. "I helped make my own kamiks."