Sister Nations: Native American Women Writers on Community

Linda LeGarde Grover

Linda LeGarde Grover Ojibwe Ikwe Ishpiming From black of light years, asi anang writhed and spiraled into his path, shedding sparks that dazzled his eyes. He raised his arm to shade his face and began his dance, unaware that he danced while above I flew, gold in the sky. With my hair the wind I tethered his wrists to a shining cloud, as I silently swayed and breathed in the breeze, ambe, ambe. My hands the earth that gave him life bathed his feet in shredding silk that tore in my touch as I whispered, ambe omaa, bimosen, bimosen. Then my lips rained silver sand that poured into the river, that rolled from its sleep, and I spoke through the water, wewib wewib, til he followed, filling my tracks with his own. 133 To the Woman Who Just Bought a Set of Native American Spirituality Dream Interpretation Cards Sister, listen carefully to this. You’ll probably go right past me when you’re looking for a real gen-yew-whine Indian princess to flagellate you a little and feed your self-indulgent un-guilt about what other people not as fine-tuned and sensitive as you did to women by the way, women like me who you probably go right past when you’re looking. I know what you’re looking for and I know I’m not it. You’re looking for that other Indian woman, you want a for real gen-yew-whine oshki-traditional princess and you’ll know her when you see her glibly glinting silver and turquoise carrying around her own little magic shop of real gen-yew-whine rattling beads and jangling charms beaming about her moon as she sells you a ticket to her sweat lodge. She’s a spiritual concession stand and it’s your own business go ahead and buy 134 or rent it if you want go ahead what do I care acquire what you will, you’ve done it before. I know what you’re looking for and I know I’m not it. Hell, no I won’t be dressing up or dancing for you or selling you a ceremony that women around here never heard of I won’t tell your fortune or interpret your dreams so put away your money. Hell, what you really want to buy you’ll never see, and anyway it’s not for sale. Sister, you weren’t listening to this I know, and I know too that that authentic, guaranteed satisfaction or your money back gen-yew-whine for real oshki-traditional Indian princess is easy to find. Bring your checkbook. Or a major credit card. I’ll be watching you both. 135 ...