Promise

Promise


A name not common
to folks nowadays
one you quickly identify as
Indian
Native American or
American Indian
all of which
I am not.
I belong to
no such labels.
Indians are from India.

I am not native
to this thing called
America
for it, too, is
only a label given
by Wasichu.
You are Native American
by birthright
whether you're African,
Indian, Asian or white
you are Native American.

I am Native
to this Turtle Island
not only by birthright
but by the
blood of my people
that flows
through the veins
of this land
the blood of
my Great Grandfathers
Sitting Bull and Powhatan
and my Great Grandmother
Pocahontas

The same blood
that allows you
to build your high rises
and sit in your
fine diners
the same blood that
is the very heartbeat
of my people
that beats through me.

And when you hear
my name Red Bear
you will know
I am your heartbeat.


The Bear Paw