Tribal Teachings

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

Kyoti

 

 

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