Where have the Ojibwa gone?

August new poetry number fifteen.

“Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.”

“Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children.”

Where have the Ojibwa gone?

I am 1/4 Ojibwa and my Ojibwa grandmother raised me. She was took from her reservation at six years old. The government school cut her long black hair, they told her, do not speak your language, no-more. They changed her name and forced a life upon her. She told me. I don't hold revenge, I have forgiven the white people. But I do not forget. I remember everything.

Now I live on the Ojibwa land, once Ojibwa land in the past and now the only remembrance of the great nation. The names of the public schools.

Where are the great forest, that never-ended. Where are the great tribes? The great tribes were put into reservations.

Once Michigan and Ohio were forest states and the white men destroyed the great forest. Now the forest is small and the cities are everywhere. 

Where do the free animals go when the land is no-more?

Once my dear Grandmother was told to forget her language, become civilized and she taught me.

We are the people of the forest, once a great nation and now we have become quiet. Please teach your children, please teach your grandchildren to love the Big lake, the Great forest and befriend the free animals. Please don't forget where you came from. We are the people of the forest.

Today I pray a Ojibwa prayer.

"Please be kind to the Big water,

please allow the trees to grow and touch the sky,

please allow the free animals to have free land to roam and live.

Please allow the children to dance with the Big water and

to find peace in the great forest.

Please Great Spirit,

give me more days to dance with the moon and the sun."

Coyote

”Every animal knows more than you do.”

“Before our white brothers arrived to make us civilized men, we didn’t have any kind of prison. Because of this, we had no delinquents. Without a prison, there can be no delinquents. We had no locks nor keys and therefore, among us there were no thieves.”

Author's Note

Thank you for reading.

Reviews

[‘Thoughts In Time..]

So very sad...I've seen this myself in Alaska where the Indians now westernised are sitting around having lost hope drinking their sorrows away 🌹such sacred people that have been shunned and put down by the greed of money land and power 🌹may the tribes return again and may they be blessed and proud of Thier name 🙏🌹

[Coyote Poetry]

I hope too dear Kelly. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[‘Thoughts In Time’🌹]

Pleasure always 🌹🌹🌹🌹

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

This moved me about your First Nations people
As you know it happened here in Australia as well to our First Nations people

This poem was very moving and nice to hear about your heritage in your bloodline too John

[Coyote Poetry]

I watched a movie last week dear Julie about how Australia did the same as the USA. It is sad what men had done. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Sorry seems to be the hardest word but it’s not enough never enough
Thanks John

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right dear Julie. They killed 6000 Native American children and the Canada government apologies. Found the graves in un-marked on the government school property. Paid money. What are words and money when your children are dead. This happens in the past 40 years. Till last year. Canada was still taking the children away from their families. You are welcome my dear friend.

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Yes I heard about that it’s evil
We need more good over evil

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree my friend.

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

All people equal
All life to be cherished
Animals and trees land nature etc included

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we just had no right to do what we did....inhumane...No one person is better than another...
It is just sickening to look back in history and feel the shame.
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree Jacob. USA had written laws to erase the Native American race. I understand the Native American are quiet. Still their voices are not heard. Thank you for reading and the comment Jacob.

[Cherrie Palmer]

Harmony with nature can be found in learning some of the old ways and seeing how we are a part of creation and share in its care.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree dear Cherrie. We need the river; we need the clean air, and we need food. We need the gifts of nature and thank you for reading and the comment.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This is an interesting commentary on the American holocaust; the great "ethnic cleansing" of Old Uncle Sam where entire tribes and cultures were silently and efficiently obliterated by the government. The Ojibwa were renamed the white man's word "Chippewa" and even names were changed to suit the English tongue. So much wonderful culture lost and the world is poorer for it. The one thing that stands out for me the most in Native American cultures is how nothing was wasted. Every animal killed for food was respected and every part was used from meat to hide and bones. Compared to European culture it was a much more sacred way, valuing the sanctity of life. But the takers came who valued nothing but their own stomachs and greed which was insatiable and what they did not or could not use, they disdained and threw away leaving devastation in their wake. A sad, but true, observation. Thanks for sharing. F.

[Coyote Poetry]

Few tribes left in Michigan. Given small area to live. They are quiet. Thank you, Fabian, for reading and the detail comment.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I have great compassion for all native American and indigenous peoples around the world. People can make friends but governments can only make war, slaves and orphans.

[Betty Hermelee]

Almost all the different tribes have had their land taken away as well as their animals...they also were forced to change their names.... the government took the lands and put the tribes on reservations....once they thrived but now many of them have no work.....I think we were taught about how the tribes were pushed off their land ....in today's world, many Indian tribes have casinos and are doing quite well.
well done!
Best, B

[Coyote Poetry]

Very few dear Betty have Casinos. The great Chief Pontiac saw he could not win. My great, great grandfather signed the treaty ensuring the Ojibwa and other tribes wouldn't follow the many tribes that are no-more. Many tribes never received help from the government. They murdered in Canada schools 6000 children and no-one is charged. They will never be a proper payment Betty. USA government telling the Native American, we are sorry like a Nazi telling a Jew. I apology for trying to erase a race of people. USA did. Had laws written to destroy a race and steal their land.

[Betty Hermelee]

You're absolutely correct!
Best, B