He wears the feather of courage
It glistens as it lies against his hair
Like the eagle; he is revered
For he protects all that is precious to him
He defends his land and his family
He has shown courage in times of adversity
His heart soars as he looks down upon his village
His people are happy; his brothers are strong
Mother earth has treated them well
He pays homage to her generosity
He will protect her from all that would harm her
He has seen destruction in the past few years
Through the white man that multiplies upon her land
He sees the waste and greed that follows in their path
And wonders when the path of the white man
And Mother Earth’s chosen will cross
He knows that it will be a bloody battle
That all of his courage and strength will be tested
But it is a battle that he must fight and he must win
For his Mother has given her gifts to his people
She has fed and clothed them
She has taught them how to survive
They have grown strong within her terrain
He hears her call his name in the rushing wind and knows
Soon …it will be time.
Written by TaVona Salaz Treadwell
Native American Theme Contest