
The Bull Frogs Got Theirs
(as now I do)
Photo Credit: Richard Chicoine iCopyright 2009
As a boy, I would go out with my friends
And spear bull frogs.
It didn’t matter if each frog might someday
Be turned into a prince
By some little girl’s magic capable mind
Nor did it matter if the bull frogs
Had feelings to feel
Our jack knife sharpened stakes
Through their hearts,
As boys will do without caring
For small animal life,
My friends and I would launch our wooden
Spears, yelling
Like the warriors we imagined
Ourselves to be...
And as I am older now, often I see people
With word-spears cut me down.
It doesn’t matter if someday I might
Become a prince
By the power of some woman’s love,
Nor does it matter if I
Have feelings to feel
Their verbal spears sharply
Through my heart,
As people will act without caring
About others,
People, even now, spit their word-
Spears, sneering
Like the gods they imagine
Themselves to be.
George Kenney was raised on the Lac Seul Reserve in Northwestern Ontario. His first book, Indians Don’t Cry, a collection of short stories and poems was published in 1977.
From the book, First People, First Voices, edited by Penny Petrone.
Where We Live...Do You Really Know?
A significant and growing proportion of residents in Thunder Bay self-identify as Aboriginal, comprising over 8% of the total population.
In fact, the net population growth of Thunder Bay between the 2001 census and the 2006 census is largely attributable to the growth in our Aboriginal population. During this period, the total non Aboriginal population decreased by 1%, while our Aboriginal population grew by 22.6%
Source: David Tranter, Our Quality of Life Report 2008
Full report at www.ThunderBaySurvey.com
As a leader...what do you say about our diversity? What needs to happen? What don't you know that you need to know? What actions will you take?
Readings:
CLD Theme: Aboriginal Perspectives
Key Leadership Skill: Decision Making
Strategy 4: Dr Brad
Whole Brain Business Book: Chapter 29 - Decisions and Values
http://www.wawataynews.ca
Note to participants: Kari is here and I'm disappearing into the sands of Cuba until February 9. No blog to read for next week!
Stay warm!
Maggie
No comments:
Post a Comment