Woman of the Tsalagi!

Woman of the Tsalagi created by Great Mysteries own plan, blood kin to her Mother Earth respecting each other in their giving birth, she need hang her head to no man, or humble herself before him, her words are the lessons we live by and remember.

It is through her the clans are counted, her bloodlines that are followed, her wisdom has always helped to guide our Nation, equal in all ways without her there is no balance, no peace and gentleness it is her heart that is the white path we claim to follow.

The Warriors of our own kind have forgotten she is his own mother and grandmother, they no longer show respect or honor to her, only one kind treated others like this, is this how the world should see you, are we now the same as them?

Who with broken heart watches the hungry babies cry, the old ones sigh, and the children die with no justice given, who sees most clearly the injustice of this land she walks, who is now treated the same by the men of her own kind?

How have your own hearts become so cold and hard, forgetting what she means to you, how have our People become exactly what we hated most in them, taking without giving wanting only for ourselves with no thought for others?

Has all hope been lost to our Peoples, all honor in our own ways, are the hearts of your women not in the dirt of your own making, kicked and trampled without thought for what is owed to them of love and tenderness for their healing?

Why is there no more respect for self than this, are you so far gone in dishonor and disrespect for self you must now abuse those who give you life, where has gone the teaching of the Elders, have your spirits grown so soiled by hatred?

When was the last time you went to water and cleansing, greeted the rising sun in humble prayer to marvel at Creators glory, you mouth the words hoping for your own praise for knowing them, but you no longer live them.

Are they lost forever to your hearts the old ways taught by your grandmothers, are we so far gone they have won and the genocide complete, what now then should we tell the children who see how you treat the mothers of their own People?

Turn from these ways of dishonor and learn again your own ways, we have walked our own ways as equals in perfect balance, showing respect for each other and the gifting of knowledge by our women, do not follow those who teach such lies to you.

What is it then we are still fighting for, what used to go on ,just assimilate and be done, give away all that has kept you strong, brave and true, give away your heart and soul for you are throwing it in the faces of your own ancestors who honored the woman.

If there is pride in your heart for who and what you are, tell me friend who do you owe that too, who taught you it was right and good to have brown faces, whose words whispered comfort when the whole world hates you for your own heritage?

Where did you learn those prayers, at whose feet did you sit knowing you were loved beyond life itself, whose gentle hands caressed away the hurt that lives within you, the rage that boils at the injustices thrown at you, who taught you to be you?

I once knew a man of honor, who loved and respected women in all ways, he was a proud Tsalagi, and a proud MAN, he was my grandfather!

~Submitted by Helen Red Wing Vinson