Edgar A. Tieman

RED SKIN WARRIORS

Not so many years ago
The Indians fought to rid their lands
Of the people called, “The White Man”.
In most battles to the last Warriors they died
To protect their families
And the desecration of their land

Sacred burial, fishing and hunting grounds
Their buffalo slathered for their skins
Now are almost gone
Now the fight is with paper and pen
Instead of weapons made of wood and stone

White man had traded them
Blankets infected with diseases
Gave them fire water that drove them crazed
That was traded for priceless skins

The peace pipe that was once used
Is replaced with a gavel made of wood
Now instead they fight with paper and pen
To regain their rights to their sacred land
Where their forefathers once hunted and fished

After the pipe of peace was smoked
Peace they did not have
To the reservations they went
To live and die like caged animals from the wild

Once a proud people free to roam
Still live on reservation land
Still being regulated by the,
“White Man”.