Page 110 - The Ogemawahj Tribal Council

Name Date

BLM G5.1 No, I Do Not Live in a Teepee

for some reason, you seem to think

that us natives are some historical beings
stuck living in the past

no, I do not live in a teepee
you see our sacred ceremonies

hear the prayers that we utter,
think we must do this for everything

no, I do not live in a teepee
in your history books, you read

of people who live in buildings
such as wigwams, snow houses, longhouses, and, yes, teepees

no, I do not live in a teepee
you think that we must be now as we were then

with our buckskin clothing
and our “savage” ways

no, I do not live in a teepee
but let me ask you, do you continue to live

in disease ridden settlements,
unable to survive on your own?

and let me ask you, do you continue to take
land that is not yours

and will never rightfully belong to you?
again, let me ask you, are you still so threatened

by the thought of people different than you
that you force them to assimilate to your ways?

Yes, I am Native
but before you ask, let me tell you

No, I do not live in a teepee
—Emily Big Canoe

108 The Ogemawahj Tribal Council