Dawnland Voices: An Anthology of Indigenous Writing from New England

Nancy Bright Sky Harris

392 serve as convenient carriers on the return trip to the villages when the annual “working vacation” came to an end. As much as the trip was enjoyed, it was always good to get back home to share their experiences with the elders, store away the dried fish, and prepare for the Green Bean Moon (Ashkashki Tuppuhquam keeswush), which was fast approaching. It is always good to have a shore dinner or at least some clam or fish chowder during the Heat Moon, in remembrance of our ancestors, and to give thanks for another of Creator’s gifts—the bounty of the seas and the cooling breezes that sometimes bring a breath of salt air all the way to the inland villages. Nancy Bright Sky Harris (b. 1952) Born Nancy Virginia Jacobs, Harris has served as vice president of the Board of Directors for the Nipmuc Indian Association of Connecticut. She has sung with Native American drum groups since 1989, when she and her brother Everett Little Turtle Jacobs formed the Full Circle Drum Society in Connecticut. She was also the lead singer in a women’s drum group called Red Clover; she appears on several cds (Full Circle Drum Society, Eastern Spirit, Jammin on the Powwow Trail). Harris and her family are also accomplished traditional dancers. To Carol and David with Love September 10, 1994 Manit wame masugkenuk Kuttabotómish yeu kesukok Kuttabotómish nishnoh oaas pámontog Kuttabotómish wuttoohqŭnash, nippe, kesuk, aukeeteamitch, séquan, ninnauwáet, pópon Nancy Bright Sky Harris 393 Wunnántam ninnimissinúwock neemat, nummissis awetawátuock Annumau wunnetu numwohtoüsh kenutcheganit paumpmaúntam womonittuonk Wunnonkou unnukquom wunnetu Saup monomansuonk annoóssŭonk quoshodtuonk Aho [Grandfather Creator, Thank you for this day. Thank you for the animals. Thank you for the trees, the water, the sky, the seasons— Bless these two people, my brother and my sister in their marriage. Help them to be happy and fill their life with love. Let their yesterdays be a dream of happiness and every tomorrow be a vision of hope and promise. Amen] Woman of the Warrior She waits, quietly working the job of two, while her mate is fighting for their country, for freedom in the land. They do not understand the reason he was sent risking his life, risking his family life, but he goes because he has to. He is a warrior and she is the woman of the warrior. We will respect her and show her honor starting today. When he returns, he is not the same, for he has been in a war that was insane. At times he has been quiet and withdrawn, and at times she’s put up with his rage and misplaced scorn. 394 nipmuc She’s put up with the nightmares both day and night of a war long gone by. She’s the foundation that he builds his emotional strength on and a comrade in arms. She has had to explain to the family and friends why he acts that way. She has earned her stripes and her right to stand by her man on Veterans’ and Memorial Day. She’s the most special person in the World—She’s the mate of a veteran. Wind from Summer There were times I didn’t know you, you were the cool one, the cute one. You were the soldier that went away that wrote letters, and got a few from me. Then you came back; I was glad that I didn’t lose you. As I grew up, I discovered that you were fun to be with. The wind from summer can be warm. The Native blood that runs in your body is as warm as that. Your sensitivity, your caring, your sense of humor draws people to you. I am proud of you my brother. The Gifted Porcupine Roach Maker⁴ The Creator gives us all gifts. Some of us are lucky to discover what those gifts are. There is a man and his lady that live in New England. He has this wonderful talent to make the roaches. Nancy Bright Sky Harris 395 There are many who want Jim’s roaches. When someone wears a roach, he is a proud dancer. He is representing his people, himself, and the spirit within him dancing on Mother Earth. Jim will hand-dye the colors of the hair to match the regalia. He inserts the...