Love Life Loss and a little bit of hope

Chief R. Stacey Laforme speaks about the meaning of Reconciliation

Chief R. Stacey Laforme reading (from Living in the Tall Grass)

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Excerpts from the Book

Common Ground

Everyone hears something of themselves in
this poem and that teaches us that
no matter how far apart we may seem,
we are never so far that we cannot
find common ground.

No one thing can define us
For we are complex creatures,
dreamed in the mind of the Creator
We laugh when we should cry
We cry when we should laugh
We joke when in pain
We smile because tears could consume us
We love unconditionally and totally
We understand that family should come first
Yet family is not defined solely by blood
We are quick to anger, yet no one forgives faster
We are loyal and we are strong
When we commit, we are unwavering
We have survived much, but do not mistake adaptation for resignation
You will always see us, for we will always be here
Standing for what we believe in,
standing beside each other
Doing what is right for our children, our future
We remember our obligation
to our Mother the Earth
And we remember our place upon her
We are a proud people and honorable people
We do not always do right, for we are human
And prone to the follies of humanity
Yet we strive to be better, to make each other better
To make the world a better place for the children
I know the Creator smiles upon us,
no matter where we are, or what we do
For the love of a child is unconditional
No matter where life takes you, walk proud.

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Walk With Me

I must explain this poem. I have friends and allies in a place called Oakville, Ontario, and they requested a poem on allyship. I, of course, said yes. As I began, I realized that I had already written something that would fit well
It was a story called “Walk with Me.” As I struggled to understand how I could incorporate that into the poem of allyship, I remembered another poem I had completed for the opening of the CBC Olympics, which was titled “I Promise.” “I Promise” has been altered slightly, as I had the opportunity to perform it with
Kevin Hearn from Barenaked Ladies and Josh Finnelson from Skydiggers. I added a line to the original poem so we had equal lines to recite. I believe both poems stand well on their own and convey their own message but the pieces fit extremely well together once I wrote another poem to connect them.

Walk with Me
Take my hand
Face this world with me
See the world as I see the world
Understand the world as I understand it
Let us learn from each other, of each other
Laugh with me, cry with me
Fight for me, fight with me
Pray with me, pray for me
Face this world with me
Let us walk together
Let us rejoice in the light
Or be by my side
when the dark claims me
Whatever tomorrow may bring
Let us walk together
Let us face it side by side
The first step is to know me
Remember no one travels this world alone.