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    Living in the Tall Grass: Poems of Reconciliation
    Living in the Tall Grass: Poems of Reconciliation
    Living in the Tall Grass: Poems of Reconciliation
    Ebook104 pages1 hour

    Living in the Tall Grass: Poems of Reconciliation

    By Chief R. Stacey Laforme

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    About this ebook

    In Living in the Tall Grass: Poems of Reconciliation, Chief Stacey Laforme gives a history of his people through stories and poetry to let Canadians see through the eyes of Indigenous people. Living in the Tall Grass is written in a way that makes the reader feel he or she might be sitting down with Chief Laforme, sharing experiences from their lives. Some poems share humour, while others express pain, though each comes from the heart.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDurvile Publications
    Release dateJan 1, 2018
    ISBN9780968975497
    Living in the Tall Grass: Poems of Reconciliation
    Author

    Chief R. Stacey Laforme

    Stacey Laforme was born on a cold December morning into a life of alcoholism and abuse. At fifteen, he left home and lived on the street, eventually finding a home with both of his grandmothers. He started his first job at twelve years old, eventually going into the family business and joining the iron workers union. He attended college late in life. He retired from iron work and, as he admits, “If I am honest, I was not the best at iron work.” After his mother passed away at the age of fifty, he was elected to council. He ran and was elected Chief of the Mississaugas of the Anishnabe in December 2015, a few months after his father passed away. Chief Laforme says, “I am dedicated to my people, and to all the people who live within our treaty lands.”e Chancellor of Oxford University in the rarest honour the college can bestow.

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      Book preview

      Living in the Tall Grass - Chief R. Stacey Laforme

      Dedication

      To my wife Tara who was the inspiration for this book and to my children Gilbert, Kelly, PJ, Megan, and Ethan who support me no matter where I go or what dream I choose to chase. Also dedicated to the people who have moved in and out of my life, I have learned so much from all of you. Finally, to my brother Tony and sister Julie who live in the

      tall grass every day.

      Contents

      About Chief Stacey Laforme

      Prologue, Understanding

      Prayer

      Shkaakaamikwe/Mother Earth

      Gwekwaadziwin/Honesty

      Debwewin/Truth

      Zaagidwin/Love

      Aakwaadewin/Courage

      Dbaadendizwin/Humility

      Nbwaakaawin/Wisdom

      Mnaadendimowin/Respect

      Final Thought (For Now)

      Prologue, Understanding

      Living in the Tall Grass is a statement of the challenging life that I have led and it also speaks to my connection to our Mother the Earth.

      The front cover of this book talks about an Indigenous perspective and I guess that is true, as I am an Anishinaabe man. Yet I consider my poems and stories to be universal.

      I write with the intent to place myself in the heart and soul of different individuals at different stages of their lives. If you can see yourself in the poems, then my intent was a success.

      When I write, I become the character in the poem for the length of the poem. I may be happy, I may be sad, yet as soon as the poem is over it no longer owns me, and I no longer own it.

      I will use this book to try to raise awareness of reconciliation but it is important that you begin with the basic understanding that reconciliation, in its broadest terms, speaks to understanding the world around us and understanding our place within it.

      Prayer

      We give thanks to the creator for

      allowing this gathering

      We ask that he guide us

      And forgive us when we falter and disappoint

      For though we aspire to greatness

      we are after all only human

      Grant us a clear mind, a pure heart

      and courage

      A clear mind to make well thought out intelligent decisions

      A pure heart to make decisions that are without personal bias or desire

      And the courage to use both a clear mind and a pure heart in our lives

      Let us set aside small differences, let us concentrate on the real issues

      Let us not be bogged down in rhetoric let us live each day with a feeling of accomplishment and pride

      Most important let us remember we are not enemies, nor are we adversaries

      We share a similar past, a kindred spirit and

      a common heritage

      We must always remember the

      real reason we gather

      To do the right thing for our people

      for our children, for our future.

      Shkaakaamikwe/Mother Earth

      Sooner or later, the damage sustained by this planet will become irreversible, on that day you will not notice, for your life of comfort will continue, but the life of your children will change. They will face a world in chaos, a world where water is fought over, a world that cannot support the population They will face a world they did not create, a world inherited from you and me, a world they do not deserve, a place where the future is not promised.

      So when you see people stand in defence of the lands and the waters, do not ask why they do what they do, instead ask why they stand alone.

      The poem, Sacred Trust was written from the perspective of my people but I believe it should be a vision of all people and a statement that should be made when you become a new citizen of this Country.

      Sacred Trust

      We are the keepers of this land

      She shelters and sustains us

      Long after the flesh fails the spirit

      We will care for these lands

      Our drums will be heard upon the winds

      Our voices in the rustle of the leaves

      My people have a sacred trust with the land

      A trust no man may break, a trust that

      death cannot sever

      We were here when you first stepped foot upon this land

      And here we will remain long after the last step has disturbed her soil.

      Untitled

      I have seen many winters

      I am not old, but neither am I young

      I have stood witness as the sun rose and fell

      I have seen the moon in all its glory

      I have seen the children of the Earth

      And the children of their children

      I have protected them from the wind and rain

      I have shielded them from the sun and heat

      They have played and squabbled around my feet

      And I have held them in my arms

      They once honoured me

      Sang songs to me, spoke to me

      Of all the things I have come to love

      It is them that I shall miss most of all

      I will of course survive their passing

      I will see a world without

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