Borderland - Ziibinkokwe

[Larry Robinson]

Borderland
 
As we zig zag the 
US and Canada border 
from Maine to Seattle 
and into Alaska 
 
We travel through Native lands 
families and friends separated 
long lines of cars and trucks 
on land and bridges 
close communities 
divided 
 
Passports to be shown 
sunglasses off 
those with a DUI 
cannot cross over 
even as passengers 
or ever again 
I heard it said 
 
Sometimes it’s a long trek 
other times not 
Reservations and Reserves 
two separate lands 
on one border 
or another 
 
Veteran Elders come 
to participate 
at Eagle Staff gatherings 
some well into their 90’s 
 
Regalia and bundles 
inside the car 
the border patrol 
depending who you get 
know better now 
to not go through them 
 
Officers with good training 
have learned to respect 
the ways and traditions 
different from theirs 
 
Indigenous men 
women and children 
come to participate 
in a pow wow 
a celebration 
a sacred circle 
on the other side
 
First Nations go south 
Native Americans go north 
First Alaskans go east 
Northern First Nations go west 
 
To participate and celebrate 
to give thanks for each other 
the earth 
the land and waters 
animals and trees 
stories from another time 
 
Everything done in a circle 
intricately sewn regalia 
headdresses, jingle dresses 
made with feathers, beads 
and the hide of buffalo 
caribou, deer, and seal 
 
Songs and traditions 
from long ago 
to say we are one 
in a circle
 
with no borders


	- Ziibinkokwe, Turtle Clan (Patricia LeBon Herb)