Long ago in New York,
to a very different sound,
the drums and flutes of Mohawks,
would fill the night surround.
Called Kanienkehaka,
or people of the flint,
man eaters by the Algonkian,
in eyes of fearful glint.
The language may sound complex,
she:kon would greet you well.
And if they were to thank you,
Its nia:wen they would tell.
With faces often hidden,
in brightly coloured mask,
no foreigners allowed to see,
this sacred artful task.
The men of tribes were hunters,
of fish and elk and deer.
The women tended to the lands,
and voted for their peers.
A proud and warrior nation,
still lives on to this day.
The mellow flute still plays its tune,
in a longhouse far away.
Author notes
Kanonsionni was the name the mohawks gave to themselves and means "people of the longhouse"
http://www.bigorrin.org/mohawk_kids.htm This site is a reference to the mohawk facts i have used in this poem, this page is a mohawk indian fact sheet and has a wealth of knowledge on the mohawk tribe 
In a list
A contest entry
- Rounds Contest for Niaish Ma eno Group Members Only by PureCountry.
525 points, ended September 27, 2008, 3 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
The mohawk tribe :) Photocredit: Photobucket, userid Phire5000
Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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Brilliant!!!
I really enjoyed reading this interesting poem, and I wish you the best of luck in the conteest!!! Peace, Cyn 
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An excellent read and filled with truths of a powerful people who are almost no more today...you have given a very good idea of their life and language and the feelings from your words I really enjoyed niaish for sharing with me...
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applause
this one is amazing I am going to send it to a friend to read
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woow
very well written and nicely said good luck on the contest!
juliet
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Your Offering,
speaks of factual awareness of the Mohawk. Your reference was very informative. You met the goal and the prompt.
Best of Luck
Niaish
Silent Hawk
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This is very good, it might be a bit too factual and perhaps some fine editing could make it slightly more poetic? but I think you've told the narrative very well and it has a depth of feeling and a integrity about the subject matter too
well done
Gill.x
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