Dawnland Voices: An Anthology of Indigenous Writing from New England

Garry Meeches Jr.

677 Garry Meeches Jr. (b. 1997) Son of Erin Lamb Meeches and grandson of Trudie Lamb Richmond, Garry Meeches was thirteen years old when he began writing poetry. Garry is Schaghticoke on his mother’s side and Ojibwa on his father’s side. He is also a champion traditional dancer, having danced since he was five years old. Garry also loves to draw and paint, after his father, an accomplished painter. These are his first published poems. Soccer The green, clean cut grass Grasps my feet as I run past. A salty stream runs down my face While I dribble the ball with grace. I trust my team to be there To protect the orb with all their care. Our competitive hatred is strong Even though they’ve done nothing wrong. The flying black and white sphere goes in the goal It was hit so hard it made a hole. I took pride in my shot. It was easy, because protect their goal they did not. I am midfielder in the games I play. It was like this all day, every day Because there were many others. We were no longer teammates, but brothers. Polar Bear Poem Her white fur Blends with Her frozen kingdom; 678 schaghticoke Her back is smooth With but a single hump Like a small hill; Her round-black eyes Are as dark As the night sky; When she dashes She is like a jet, Fast and powerful; The snow leaps very high After her, large puffs Of white, clouds of snow I Am (Inspired by George Ella Lyon)⁶ I am from Waterford ct Home of the Lancers’ football team And home of Garry Meeches I am from well-done steaks Not liked by everyone But liked by a lot I am from my dad’s paintings And my drawings Our art fills the house I am from “I’ll see you later.” I know not of goodbyes For we meet each other again I am from the Native Nations It is unknown to most It is the Old America Garry Meeches Jr. 679 Senses: Hear Those who cannot see Aren’t necessarily blind, They view the world With not eyes but ears. They see the echoing bang of a gunshot And the sweet-pitched song of a little blue bird, The booming roar of a great tan lion; Shouts and squeals of young energetic children. They view the world, With not eyes but ears. What Never Dies History School Friendship Family My cat Libraries Memory Cockroaches So you think you can dance Disease Robots Love Zombies America 680 schaghticoke Build a Poem Guitar Tan, brown Wooden, curved, lightweight Plucking, strumming, playing, enjoying Guitar is awesome to me Art Colorful, black & white Drawing, pictures, sculptures Sketching, capturing, erasing, building Art describes emotions and life. Notes 1. Per Connecticut General Statutes, Chapter 824, Section 47–59a. 2. Indian Papers, Ser. 1, vol. 2, 7 (1756), Connecticut Archives, Connecticut State Library, Hartford ct. 3. Indian Papers, Ser. 1, vol. 2, 241 (1742), Connecticut Archives. 4. Indian Papers, Ser. 1, vol. 2, 218–218c (1786), Connecticut Archives. 5. Colonial War Records, vol. 4, microfilm reel 204 (1743), 126, Connecticut Archives. 6. Lyon is a popular writing teacher who has used a “Where I’m From” prompt to encourage young people to write (http://www.georgeellalyon.com/where.html). Further Reading schaghticoke authors Crone-Morange, Paulette, and Lucianne Lavin. “The Schaghticoke Tribe and English Law: A Study of Community Survival.” Connecticut History 43.2 (2004): 132–62. Print. Logan, Adelphena. Memories of Sweet Grass. Washington ct: Institute for American Indian Studies, 1979. Print. Richmond, Trudie Lamb. “Algonquian Women and the Land: A Legacy.” Rooted Like the Ash Trees. Ed. Richard G. Carlson. Naugatuck ct: Eagle Wing Press, 1987. 6-8. Print. —. “Dear Wunneanatsu.” Native Heritage: Personal Accounts by American Indians, 1790 to the Present. Ed. Arlene B. Hirschfelder. New York: Macmillan, 1996. 121. Print. —. “Growing Up Indian (or Trying to) in Southern New England.” Cross Paths 2008: n. pag. Print. Torres, Ruth Garby. “Now You See Us, Why You Don’t: Connecticut’s Public Policy to Terminate the Schaghticoke Indians.” In Recognition, Sovereignty Struggles, and ...