Marching slowly with the Treaty People

Towards the headwaters

Of the Mississippi

To support water protectors

Who put themselves in harm’s way

To save water and the sacred land.

 

Feet sometimes trip

Over each other

So we stop to rest

And rehydrate

In the triple digit heat.

We talk stories

And remember why we’re there.

 

We pace our steps while singing

The “Nibi Song” – the Water Song.

No. Not that one.

The one Doreen wrote

Inspired by her son.

 

With each striding forth,

We remember what others have forgotten:

The treaties promised

People would be free like the water

To flow and flourish;

The treaties promised

Sacred lands would be kept sacred.

When we honor the treaties

Our ancestors signed

We honor the ancestors.

Have they no honor?

 

Dragonflies gather

Wherever, wherever we go.

We’re told what Ojibwe hold true:

They’re the ancestors surrounding us.

As if to say, “Miigwetch.”

We’re on this march together.