Hour 1

For Vicki Kelly, Anishinaabe/Metis scholar and my dear teacher and friend:

Vicki

she sat across the table from me in silence until her mouth opened from the centre of the centre to release words I only dreamed to hear:

Go back to the teachings of your Ancestors

never doubting I knew who I was allowed me to be who I knew I was beyond the 23’n me shackles science to know the certainty of

my heart’s knowing –

Where my blood and marrow knows the songs of my people

even if my throat does not

yet.

 

She taught me to sing my songs from the spirit she coaxed forward out of shadow

with kindness

patience

and humility

reserved for our wisest Elders.

 

Now I take shaky, tentative,

Tender-footed, baby steps toward my Ancestors

From the loving words of the one who speaks from the centre.

 

© r. l. elke