Ina Maka and Others

by Edward J. Herdrich

Ina Maka, the mother to us all, Spring, Summer, Winter Fall

giving from deep within, ignoring the pain and new world din

a name given by the first people, all her beauty a steeple

they took care to walk softly on the land, one day to make stand

for their mother they knew needed care too

with Dakota Access, Sun Dance no longer enough to do.

Ina Maka and others, take care of sisters, brothers

partners, wives and more they can be

but the strongest of all I see

with Ina Maka and others –

mothers.

Coming north to work the land, all their life held in hand

Some brought children one and all, others here to help them all

On farms and ranches, working hard, though owners treat with disregard

Dolores rose up and shouted loud, our work makes us proud

but we need more, for my sister, brother and another

better wages, better care, the same as others who live here.

Ina Maka and others, take care of sisters, brothers

partners, wives and more they can be

but the strongest of all I see

with Ina Maka and others –

mothers.

Working with primates she felt her call, for Jane that was not all

making it known in many ways, she asked us to watch our days

to be careful as we lived our life, try to cause all others less strife

though their language to us not known, our ways to them are shown

so make the change to understand, life is sacred tiny or grand

each others futures we have in our hand.

Ina Maka and others, take care of sisters, brothers

partners, wives and more they can be

but the strongest of all I see

with Ina Maka and others –

mothers.

A plague upon the newest nation, cause for freedom’s degradation

Trapping families, chattel all, until fighters made the call

Harriet answered standing tall, built the railway out from small

Taking care of all along the way, brother sister, either way

When suffragette became the work, a duty she did not shirk

Gave her all until the end, all life to defend.

Ina Maka and others, take care of sisters, brothers

partners, wives and more they can be

but the strongest of all I see

with Ina Maka and others –

mothers.

Though this language they never heard, each walked the talk of their own word

And setting an example where we might begin

Lived the message Mitakuye oyasin –

all are related, all are family, we are all family!

Many titles each of them held, different houses though they dwelled

I cannot say which they would take first, no title better or worse

For me though one speaks to that extra measure.

Ina Maka and others, take care of sisters, brothers.

Partners, wives and more they can be

but the strongest of all I see

with Ina Maka and others –

mothers.