Published in the March 2001 McMaster School of Social Work “Challenging silences in Social Work journal
Tribal teachings
once spoke of
Mother Earth
and
Father Sky
Intertwined..
Tribal teachings
of
Senklip
and
Ceremony
Mystify me…
Concrete paths are forged through
In constant rhythm of the street
Hurry…faster…gotta get there faster
No matter how slow the beat
The city reshapes the landscape
And changes natures scene
Yet coyote follows me perpetually
And tells me to be keen
Don’t drink the water
Don’t eat the fish
And
Don’t trust everything in the News…
Tribal teachings
Bewilder me
In a moment of confusion
I contemplate
Is this really happening?
Is this really real?
I don’t quite understand
I don’t know how to feel
I begin to wonder
What is expected of me?…
Tribal teachings
Baffle me
I search for answers
I cannot find
In books of the past
With False Truths
Glamorized
OH GLORY BE!
HOW PATRIOTIC ARE THEE!
Though… patriotism seems to elude me…
Tribal teachings
Reclaim me..
None of which I seek
Is found in books of paper…
Only minds of Elders
Hold the key…
Tribal teachings
Reclaim me…
They tell me that
Mother Earth
and
Father Sky
Are Intertwined..
Coyote is strong in me..
The drum is the heart of our nation
It beads steady within me…
Look to the past
To survive the future
Trust in Senklip to be my guide
Pride
Strength
Tradition
Are all inside me
I hear it now
I see it now
I feel it now
I dance with Senklip to the drumbeat in my mind
And the drum beats louder
