First we were invaded
Five Centuries of War
But our Enemies now
We bring right in the Door
Four White GhostsSalt, Sugar, White Flour
And Saturated Fats
All bring the Dark Hour
We’re told that the Answer
Is to eat our damn Wheaties
But our Ancestors knew
How to fight Diabetes
Each month we ate 23
Seeds Nuts and Grains
Now we eat One
No wonder we’re Drained
You are what you eat
I’m told and it’s true
This country was Red
Now the White makes us Blue
They put us on the Rez
And took away our Land
Gave us Commodities
And Foods in a Can
Flour and Lard
Made a food to Survive
But Frybread wasn’t there
Back when our people Thrived
Legs of the Antelope
And Deer were once Ours
Now we’re so busy
Riding ‘round in our cars
If we are what we eat
Do we want to be Bovine?
Or look at Indian Kids
And see Shapes of the Porcine?
I’d rather my Son
Have the Strength of Tatanka
Than Attention Deficit
Courtesy of Willy Wonka
Beautifully Native
Buffalo are Strong
And will Stand to Face a Storm
They gave Us Sacred Meat
And Fur to keep us warm
Four Ghosts
by Jennifer Wolf
(Ponca/Ojibwe/Santee)
While our Fathers were Hunting
Our Mothers Gathered Fruits
Vegetables, Nuts and Seeds
And also Herbs and Roots
Our Bodies are Starved
For Gifts from our Mother
We down lots of Trash Food
But we Hunger for Another
This time no one’s holding
A Gun to your Head
It Our Faults if at 50
We’re winding up Dead
Robbing our Children
Of our Stories and Love
Who’ll be there to Hold Them
From Heaven Above
Our People fought Wars
And Infectious Diseases
Brought over on Ships
Like Smallpox and Measles
When you Disrespect your Body
It’s a Slap to All
So Get Up, Take a Walk,
or Play some B-Ball
Listen to the Voice
That We All have Inside
Treat Yourself and Your Family
With some Native Pride
I Say this out of Love
Please try to Understand
By Saying No to Sugar
You Give the Finger to the Man
www.redhoneymag.net
Archive Edition 2013
63