Indigenous America

Morally and ethically groomed over time,  the United States of America its values shared, of family and a love of country are in the midst of great change.
 
Deep inside every American, you will find hope, determination,  and a passion
to support this country and its mission to be the best it can be.
 
Recently,  the vision for America has matured many of us have become aware of the filter that has shielded our eyes from truth allowing us to see with clarity behind the veil.
 
The crumbling statues of our heroes were devastating and misunderstood
by some, but its purpose remains,
 to stir hearts and minds,  to see these figures in American history as human the behaviors and beliefs once overlooked are now scrutinized,
their prejudice or implicit bias has
been identified placing them alongside every American with a need to shed racial conflict 
 
People from all corners of the earth
have struggled,  fought, even died
to bring their families to  these shores
of prosperity 
 
With respect, we recognize those
that came to "stake their claim",  those who have contributed to this country and helped to make it the greatest
 in the world 
 
What of the indigenous people's
where are the heroes?
The men and women who have worked hard to build this country.
The ones who made their mark
to preserve our soil our water and their way of life despite forced assimilation 
 
Their approach, a different perspective in that their tradition is to honor mother earth and to give back what has been taken away. 
 
To strike a balance on this planet
 In hopes that our children's children
will reap the benefits that this land
 has to offer 
 
I would like to tell you of a few highly remarkable indigenous people, Americans that should be recognized
as our heroes, and their stories told
for generations to come 
 
It's time to honor the lives of the indigenous people of this country
and their effect on every one of us
 who call this land their home 
 
Susan La Flesche Picotte 
from the Omaha tribe 
The first Native American
female doctor
 the mid-1800s
 
Sarah Winnemucca,  daughter
 of the Chief of the Piutes a fierce advocate for indigenous people in 1877
 
Mary Golda Ross from the Cherokee Nation  co-author of one of NASA's handbooks 
 
Joy Harjo from the Muscogee Creek Nation  the countries first Native American US Poet Laureate 
 
Lastly Buffalo Calf Road Woman a brave Cherokee woman who fought alongside her husband and brother at Little Big Horn 
 
 Use this as a reminder to the people
of this country of the countless indigenous people who deserve
to be recognized, remembered, and honored for their achievements 
 
I encourage the United States of America  to take an admirable  step
by replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous People's Day
and  to furthermore make it
 a federal holiday 
 
 
©Valeriya Long
2020