These traditional Cree Rattles are hand-made by the students of Kapawe'no First Nation School as a fundraiser for their music program. This Woodland Cree community is located on the north-west side of Lesser Slave Lake next to Buffalo Bay, in Alberta, Canada. Rattles are instruments played at social, festive or ceremonial events, often in conjunction with the hand drum. Most First Nation tribes in North America use a form of rattle, but they differ in style and material used. These rattles are made from raw deer hide with willow handles, and can be custom decorated with paint or beading by their owners. Every rattle is unique, no two rattles look or sound exactly alike. Some may be louder than others, some may be higher pitched, and they can also be different colors or sizes.