Living in the Tall Grass: Poems of Reconciliation
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About this ebook
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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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