A story from Brave Hawk

My Native Pride

My body lives in the white man's land,
But my Native mind & soul still stands.

Stripped of my heritage long ago,
Forced to give up everything I know.

For we trusted, yet the white Chief lied,
Denied the land where my people died.

I wait for peace & for our nations's return,
As forseen in our dance,
For this my heart yearns.

The spirit of the wind listens,
As brother moon hears my cry.
My soul remains free,
As the Hawk flies.

Like drums, my heart beats with my Native pride,
My elder's spirits still by my side .
As I dream one day my tribe will unite,
This is my Cherokee right.

They can take away my rights but not my pride,
Under my light skin,
I am Red,
I am Proud,
I am Cherokee,
A'ho