WE

We were many before the moon and sea,

when our people roamed this land free.

We were hunters and warriors, gatherers and such

We were always true and brave and never took too much.

We tasted of wild honey and hyssop from mountain creek

We built our homes from the mighty and glorious redwood trees.

We revered our elders and paid homage to our land.

we worshiped in earnest many things

that few if any now understand.

For we were once many, oh so many,

Like unto the stars of a thousand night skies

Yet strangers of even stranger ways to our land came

and many, oh so many of our people wasted and died.

For we were then no longer free to roam our land.

we became subjects to the interest of another man.

Our children were from our land removed,

Our women taken prisoner to live in servitude to another clan.

Our braves fell victim to an evil spell,

As our elders died from broken spirits

And returned to mother earth forever to dwell.

Yet, even now, we from our former land are few,

And our culture fades as quickly as fallen dew.

Oh how great, we used to be,

when we were strong and free.

Our names were many,

Some you may even know.

So in remembrance of who we are

I will say this to you all and go.

We are brave…

We are the…

Wappo,

Patwin

Miwok

Pomo

Ukiah

Piaute

Washo

Nisenan

Yokuts

We are the people of the great spirit

We are forever proud and brave.

We are the past, present and future

We shall always remain.

J. Allen Wilson © 2005

www.Jallenwilson.com