Up earlier
than usual this morning
Had a special request the night before
A granddaughter needed a ride to school
Had an assignment on the Native American Indian
She chose the Deleware Tribe of the Algonquin Nation
Lenne-Lenape pronounced Len-Nay -Len-Naw-Pay to be exact
Once lived here in the Keystone state of Pennsylvania in the late 1700’s
She researched her subject for several weeks before completing her assignment
providing a history of ‘the originals’ that covered everything from what they ate
To religion
She built a wigwam
Small in size by comparison
Wrote a two paged version of their lives
Made a collage of pictures depicting things still used today
Including a receipt of one of their staple foods Frybread I think she said
Learned the rules of a favorite game they played similar to what’s now called Lacrosse
Even made a lacrosse stick using a branch from a maple tree with leather strips for the net
To much
To carry on the bus
So we loaded up the items
she had proudly made while completing her task
Pap she said, ‘I’ve learned a lot about the Native American Indian.
They had a tough life didn’t they, after all they had to walk everywhere
No indoor plumbing to take a shower, no refrigerator to store their food,
no oven to bake, no lights other than the vastness of stars in the sky at night
Or the flames from campfires that was used to cook over and heat there Wigwam
worse they didn’t have an Ipod to listen to music just beat upon their deer-hide drums
No way to talk to their neighbors couldn’t text or twitter without their own cell-phone.’
With that
I had to laugh
She had learned a lesson
She will never forget and one of respect
As our Native American Indian did have a rough life
But by comparison they lived off the land they loved so much
Survival was in their hands as each day must have seemed a new challenge
The sufferings and hardships of all Indian Nations was caused by white-mans greed
Government conspired with railroads in the name of progress each time at their expense
Many treats were broken and land seized removing the residents then sent to reservations
May God and their 'Spirits' find forgiveness for all the despair we caused the
Proud Native American Indian.
Author notes
It was a joy taking this granddaughter to school today.She taught her Pap a lesson that he will long remember.One, for the respect she learned of the plight of the Native American Indians ,and two, her ability to relate what little they had to what is taken for granted today!
God bless all of our teachers...
Comments
1 - 7 of 7
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Awww this is lovely!!! Yes we are never to old to learn and as a teacher I can happily say that we learn from our students very often too
I really like the way you have set this poem out the rise and fall pattern suggests to me the drum beat and consequently a heart beat perhaps those of the Indians that were so cruelly treated.
Cherry
xxx
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The learning process never ceases as I have learned over the years!
Coming from a teacher who has one of the most difficult professions I applaud you for your daily resolve with the future of our country!
Thank you for the comments they are greatly appreciated.
God bless...
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This is a great poem on the way you treat and become involved with your granddaughter. The Native American did have a hard life. I just won my first Gold, actually my first trophy on writing about them. It's on my page called Broken Song. Keep on writing. You did awesome on this.
Steve
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Thanks Steve,
Your write is pretty good too.
The explotation of the Native Indian is well documented.Sadly no other race has been so unjustly abused than their great nation.
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learning culture creates awareness
living life as life arrives
we no longer do that
so much to be grateful for
love your ending
God bless you my friend...
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it is funny who we as parents can learn many lessons from our kids.. the pleasure that derive for their sweet mind and the love they give.. this is just wonderful I love the message told .. very heart felt many hugs always Angel♥
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How very precious and pure our the children.
With this 8th grader I learned more about the struggles and hardships of this proud tribe of Indians during this mornings ride than my (many years) upon this land.
Thank you for commenting my friend.
God bless...
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