Indigenous
It has been more than a century
Since we hunted them like prey
But since we could not kill them all
Made reservations to hide them away
And all the lies and false promises
That stole them from their lands
Were wrapped in greedy wishes
And fingers crossed on hands
E’en now, we won’t honor our words
We turn our eyes to avoid the sight
In dried adobe, the crying’s unheard
And we willing forget their plight
This has been the white man’s way
Assured we take more than we give
Casinos and alcohol help the decay
Of the glorious culture once lived
Oh, what we could have learned
Of natural balance and inspiration
From the natives that we spurned
Left to die on those reservations
Is now just too late for us to see
Or too hard to own our sad faults
Will this be the only history
Of how our home was bought
commonsensiblyspeaking 
I have always admired their spirituality and culture, although it has been almost fully suppressed by the US government. Great work my friend!
Thank you, Francisco! I admire their love and respect of the land and nature.
I do too. Admirable traits that everyone should have, lamentably…
Like with most things, we think of what we have gained and ignore what others have lost so we could achieve those gains.
Thanks, sis! It is easy to forget when it hurts to remember.
I have always admired them, and the more I learn, the more I admire. I know their legacy and our history with us has been quashed, but I am hopeful that it will all be made accessible and understood at one point, and that apologies and fair reparations are made, beginning to return the legacy and honor that they so deserve.
Beautifully expressed, Beth! Thank you for sharing your compassion and empathy. The wheels of recognition and reparation are turning slowly, but they are turning.
This touches my heart for many reasons, Brad. My great-grandmother was Cherokee. Recently I re-read, “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee”. I have a beautiful wooden flute that I will cherish because of its history. I couldn’t leave e the theater when I watched “Dances with Wolves” it’s opening weekend. I sat there crying. In my Wordless Wednesday I had a pic of Finn next to Nature’s Gate. Seeing Crazy Horse meant as much as Mt. Rushmore. Greed. Greed. My heart cries and always will. Four years ago I stood staring at sacred land at the Little Bighorn Battlefield. It’s compelling. For so many reasons reasons my friend, I’ve saved this beautiful tribute and writing. Love and hugs. 💛🤗
Thank you, Karla! The only indignation left is to forget. But with ancestors like you, their plight will never be silenced. We must look upon our past with eyes that recognize evil and hearts that want to correct the injustice. And the beauty of legacy and nation restored will again be a part of this land. Thank you for sharing! I now understand more of where you get your indominable spirit from. Stay strong! Love and hugs! 💜
Beautiful, Brad! Thank you, too! 💛 “the beauty of legacy and nation restored”…yes. 💛 moving on, remembering, honoring,…and being better humans to all! 🥰🤗
I have always admired their culture. It’s a shame that they were seen as “less than human.” Humans can be awful creatures. History is fascinating, but so heartbreaking in many ways. This is a marvelous tribute, my friend!
Thank you, dear friend! History can be heartbreaking. Any snapshot of society will hold the evils of its day. But to look upon those with clear eyes in the present is the foundation for justice to prevail. I always love your thoughts and thank you for sharing them. Much love! 🌹
This is another topic we could sit and discuss for hours. Man, we’re going to need multiple lunch dates at this rate. I want to delve further into my lineage. My brother thinks our third great grandmother was full-blooded Cherokee. I think it more likely was a fourth or fifth great grandmother. And based in the history of the area where we grew up, I believe we are Shawnee. It would be interesting to see which one of us is right. Haha! I always look forward to sharing my thoughts with you, and hearing yours in return. Much love in return. 😘
I would have a tendency to agree with you that the Shawnee would be more indicative of a local tribe, however with the conflagration of Indian Schools in the East, it is possible your lineage could be one a of many great nations. It would be neat to know who is right. Thank goodness the two of you are not competitive…lol
Hahaha!! Not at all! 😉🤣
One of the most shameful parts of our history. The worst part is the government continued to break treaties multiple times. It’s amazing how we continue to make up excuses for the inexcusable.
I could not agree more. Thank you, Pete!
This is beautifully written and contains such heart breaking truth. We Americans can be a selfish, arrogant, and narcissistic lot. History has proven that. Yet we all are immigrants. Perhaps only native Americans born here whose parents lived here are the only ones who rightfully lived here. Very thought provoking Brad. Big hugs 🤗
We are all immigrants, that’s for sure. Our treatment of Native Americans ranks right up there with slavery. We just don’t like to talk about it as much. Thank you, Jonikins!