Please HitRefresh to see latest page...Thanks..

If you would like the music from this pageClick Here

(Right Click and save target as)

MANY YEARS HAVE PASSED,
SINCE WE WERE FREE,
WE REMEMBER THE TRAIL OF TEARS,
AND WOUNDED KNEE...

OUR ANCESTORS CRIED,
AND WALKED MANY DAYS,
THEY WERE MADE TO FLEE,
AND COULD NOT STAY...

SOME WENT INTO HIDING
FROM THE PERILS OF WAR,
AND LIVED OFF THE LAND,
SUCH HEARTACHE IN STORE...

A PRINCIPLE PEOPLE,
THEY WERE CALLED,
THEY HAD RESPECT AND HONOR,
AND WITH PRIDE THEY STOOD TALL...

THEY LOVED THEIR LAND,
AND CARED FOR IT WELL,
TILL THE WHITE MAN CAME
AND TURNED IT INTO A HELL...

THE SOLDIERS BROUGHT GUNS,
CANNONS AND FIRE,
THEY TRIED TO GIVE PEACE BUT TO NO AVAIL,
MANY DIED FROM THE GOVERNMENT'S HAIL...

OUR PEOPLE WANTED ONLY,
TO SHARE WHAT THEY HAD,
THEY GAVE OF THEMSELVES,
IT IS ALL SO SAD...

WOMEN AND CHILDREN,
AND THE OLD ALIKE,
WERE TAKEN AWAY
IN THE HORRIBLE FIGHT...

DRIVEN LIKE CATTLE
DOWN A LONG LONELY ROAD,
THOUSANDS OF MILES
WITH HEAVY LOADS...

THEY WALKED AND THEY SANG
OF BETTER DAYS TO COME,
THE WAGONS WERE THERE
SO THEY COULDNT RUN...

THEIR SICK AND THEIR DEAD,
SOLDIERS WANTED TO HAUL,
BUT PRIDE NEVER CAME
BEFORE THE FALL...

THEY REFUSED TO ALLOW
THE WHITE MAN TO WIN,
THEY CARRIED THEIR FAMILIES
ON THEIR BACKS, AND THEN...

WHEN THEY REACHED THE END
MANY HAD PERISHED,
THE LOVE OF OUR PEOPLE
WE WILL ALWAYS CHERISH...

HARDSHIPS AND PAIN,
SICKNESS AND DEATH,
THEY HELD THEIR HEADS HIGH
WITH EACH GASPING BREATH...

THEY WALKED EVERY MILE
WITH PAIN AND FEAR,
THEIR FEET WERE BLEEDING,
AND SO MANY TEARS...

CONDITIONS FOR OUR PEOPLE
TODAY HAVE NOT MUCH CHANGED,
WE FOUGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS,
MANY ARE STILL IN CHAINS...

THEY TRIED TO DEFEND US,
AND MAKE IT ALL RIGHT,
THE HARDER THEY TRIED,
THE HARDER THE FIGHT...

THE RESERVATIONS THEY SAY,
ARE FOR OUR OWN GOOD,
OUR RIGHTS ARE PROTECTED,
AND THINGS WILL BE AS THEY SHOULD...

BUT OUR BABIES ARE STARVING,
WE HAVE NO FOOD OR HEAT,
NO SHIRTS ON OUR BACKS,
OR SHOES ON OUR FEET...

OUR OLD ARE SICK,
AND NEED MEDICINE TO SURVIVE,
THEY PROMISED A GOOD LIFE,
WE ARE BARELY ALIVE...

BUT WE WON'T GIVE UP,
THIS IS OUR LAND YOU SEE,
WE WILL FIGHT TO THE DEATH,
TO KEEP OUR PEOPLE FREE...

TO HAVE RESPECT, HONOR AND PRIDE,
TO DANCE AND SING BY GRANDFATHER'S SIDE,
TO WALK OUR PATHS IN HOPES THAT THEY WILL SEE,
THAT WE ARE RED IN OUR HEARTS, AND ALWAYS WILL
BE!!!

THE END

BY: JOYCE MOUNTAIN LION KOZIC
SOUTHEASTERN CHEROKEE
JUNE 1999

Eagle Song

Mother Earth makes the music
The Eagles sings the song,
From the Mountains come the heartbeat
of the Drum, loud and strong.
They sing of waters clear and cool,
Of a Sky filled with the light of the Sun,
Of when the Wolf and Deer roamed free,
and the Hawk and Eagle soared.
They sing of the Peace and Harmony
The Creator intends for all,
They sing of the Laughter of Joy
and the Tears of Sorrow that fall.
They sing to bring us back
from darkness into light,
Where all may find Love and Respect
in the Circle of Life.

July, 1999
Marty Soaring Eagle

I Be Tsalagi*

This morning I looked in the mirror,
I stared intensely at what I saw,
Trying to figure out if it was
My eyes, my nose or my jaw.
Maybe it's my ears, I thought,
or maybe it's my chin,
I'm sure that I will figure out
what is my "part' that is Indian.
Maybe it's my arms or hands
or some little internal gland,
I sure hope I can soon find out
what "part" is Indian.
You see to some that means a lot
to them it's a big deal,
So maybe it's my knees or toes
or maybe my left heel.
But, you see, I don't understand
what this "part" stuff means,
Because in my heart I know
just who and what I be.
That from the top of my Tsalagi head,
to the tip of my Tsalagi toes,
With every beat of my Tsalagi heart
Every fiber of me knows
That it is not the "degree of blood"
That makes me what I be.
It is the spirit of Tsalagi
that dwells within, you see.
So with every breath I take
I'm as sure as I can be
that I BE TSALAGI!!
(*Tsalagi= Cherokee)
July, 1999
Marty Soaring Eagle

PLAYING INDIAN

Being of the People ("Indian") is not something one "becomes" or "assumes" or "acquires." It is a natural part of being. As a fullblood Cherokee and teacher of the ways of the People, I have encountered many, not of the blood of the People, who are of the spirit of the People. These are not those whom have become known as "wannabees" or those who, for whatever reason, see "being Indian" as "trendy."

On the other side of this issue, I have also met many who are of the blood of the People who are not of the spirit.
Query: Which of the two mentioned are more of the People? Those who share the blood but not the beliefs or culture, or those who share the spirit but not the blood?
Because the Cherokee had no restrictions on intermarriage, as did some of the People of our ancestors, there are many Blends today who share the blood of these proud People. There are many more who share the spirit. I welcome both into the family, community and brotherhood of the People.

As time and distance increases from the days of our ancestors, there shall become more and more Blends, those of the People who share other blood, other cultures, other heritages. These Blends bring a great richness to the People, for with them comes the understanding of others, a more tolerant outlook to others, and a deeper sense of pride in that which they share with the People.
Those who see being of the People as a "hobby" or a "trend" to sample and discard if it does not suit, are to be pitied for not only their lack of sensitivity, but also their lack of identity. It is my feeling these, who are in the minority, lack a pride in their own heritage and desperately seek to adopt another, more exciting one. These are the only ones who "play Indian," and to them do I extend my sympathy for they wander without true identity. They cannot shame mine, for in my People, there is pride, no shame. In being of the People, in whatever manner, percentage of blood, or of spirit, there is but pride.
I defend not whom I am against any who may express ridicule or prejudice, for they speak thusly out of fear that confidence in one's own identity somehow increases their insecurity. Do not allow such shallowness to invade your own pride in they who are your ancestors and in the future of the children of tomorrow, who shall become the leaders of our varied People.
Pride in the People is that which shall defeat prejudice and eliminate "playing Indian."

With respect, Wasawa Tall Trees

Thank you Wasawa Tall Trees for putting into words what i too believe to be so true,and you have done so with much feeling and wisdom.

WintersChild