Auntie Says...

Indigenous People’s Day–A Poem

there is nothing I can say or do
to bring back lost babies and children
into the ever-waiting arms of their parents
though times passed wounds are fresh

i want to embrace. soothe and ease the pain
but their wound is long standing. runs deep
within me there is guilt through ignorance borne
how could i not have known? how?

as we look t'ward the day set aside
new meaning has birthed realizations of
sanctified genocide in beloved canada
in front of us all. now splayed bare

distrust of red surge on government duty
understood for the brutal reality
of ripping asunder nations on their lands
generations of stolen potential. gifts of life

cross yourself and raise thine eyes
under the guise of church approved torture
bastard pedophiles left to defile innocents
no one stopped them. no. one. stopped. them.

in our world now i weep for those families
my apology of recognition is all i have to give
as i back away head down in consult to allow
families and communities to grieve in peace

faye e arcand

13 thoughts on “Indigenous People’s Day–A Poem”

  1. A beautiful poem Faye. You have captured the essence of the situation. Thank you for this. I would like to share it with others.

    Bryan McIver

  2. Faye, your poem is beautiful and timely. Thank you for your efforts to capture what we know now and didn’t know then and how much we want to support the healing of all.

    1. Hi Laurel. The whole thing of an unknown and intentionally hidden history is so disturbing. 751 more graves found in Saskatchewan yesterday. no words.

  3. This is so heart-wrenching. I grieve for all of those poor children and their families. Thank you for putting my feelings into words😥

Thank you for visiting. I really hope you enjoyed reading my post. Remember to Comment and Like. Please FOLLOW below.