WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.600 align:middle line:90% So I have a variety of poems. 00:00:03.600 --> 00:00:06.050 align:middle line:84% I'm going to try to give you a taste of what 00:00:06.050 --> 00:00:08.370 align:middle line:90% happens in Ancient Light. 00:00:08.370 --> 00:00:12.230 align:middle line:84% But I'm also going to duck back into a few poems in Copper 00:00:12.230 --> 00:00:12.960 align:middle line:90% Yearning. 00:00:12.960 --> 00:00:16.050 align:middle line:84% And if I don't talk too long in between, 00:00:16.050 --> 00:00:17.550 align:middle line:90% I'll give you a new poem. 00:00:17.550 --> 00:00:20.420 align:middle line:90% So that's my plan. 00:00:20.420 --> 00:00:25.490 align:middle line:84% So I thought I would begin by introducing myself 00:00:25.490 --> 00:00:27.373 align:middle line:90% by way of place. 00:00:27.373 --> 00:00:32.180 align:middle line:90% 00:00:32.180 --> 00:00:35.845 align:middle line:84% Everything is good about reading except the page numbers. 00:00:35.845 --> 00:00:41.870 align:middle line:90% 00:00:41.870 --> 00:00:47.150 align:middle line:84% So this particular poem actually came out of the-- 00:00:47.150 --> 00:00:51.170 align:middle line:84% not this election, but the previous election, and it 00:00:51.170 --> 00:00:54.210 align:middle line:84% was written for a project called Vote the Earth. 00:00:54.210 --> 00:00:56.850 align:middle line:84% And we were all sheltering at that time 00:00:56.850 --> 00:00:59.370 align:middle line:84% and I was sheltering in a water access 00:00:59.370 --> 00:01:03.160 align:middle line:84% cabin adjacent to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. 00:01:03.160 --> 00:01:05.850 align:middle line:84% And I wrote this poem here and I performed this poem there 00:01:05.850 --> 00:01:09.990 align:middle line:84% for a map that was created where people around the country were 00:01:09.990 --> 00:01:15.600 align:middle line:84% sharing their stories of place and why we should "Vote 00:01:15.600 --> 00:01:17.520 align:middle line:90% the Earth." 00:01:17.520 --> 00:01:21.270 align:middle line:90% The Where in my Belly. 00:01:21.270 --> 00:01:29.670 align:middle line:84% Scientists say my brain and heart are 73% water. 00:01:29.670 --> 00:01:33.450 align:middle line:90% They underestimate me. 00:01:33.450 --> 00:01:37.650 align:middle line:84% A small island-- minis, I emerged 00:01:37.650 --> 00:01:40.600 align:middle line:90% from Minnesota's northern lakes. 00:01:40.600 --> 00:01:46.710 align:middle line:84% The where of manoomin, wild rice in my belly. 00:01:46.710 --> 00:01:50.980 align:middle line:84% I am from boats and canoes and kayaks. 00:01:50.980 --> 00:01:58.060 align:middle line:84% From tribal ghosts who rise at dawn, dance like wisps of fog 00:01:58.060 --> 00:01:59.600 align:middle line:90% on water. 00:01:59.600 --> 00:02:05.690 align:middle line:84% My where is White Earth Nation and white pine forests. 00:02:05.690 --> 00:02:09.710 align:middle line:84% Knees summer- stained with blueberries. 00:02:09.710 --> 00:02:15.440 align:middle line:84% Pink lady slippers open and wild as my feet. 00:02:15.440 --> 00:02:19.990 align:middle line:84% I grew up where math was canasta. 00:02:19.990 --> 00:02:26.150 align:middle line:84% Where we recited times tables while ice fishing at 20 below. 00:02:26.150 --> 00:02:30.940 align:middle line:84% Spent nights whistling to northern lights. 00:02:30.940 --> 00:02:36.340 align:middle line:84% I am from old medicine barks and teas. 00:02:36.340 --> 00:02:41.210 align:middle line:84% From early, the air damp with cedar. 00:02:41.210 --> 00:02:47.330 align:middle line:84% The crack of amik, beaver tails on water. 00:02:47.330 --> 00:02:53.260 align:middle line:84% Their echo now a warning to where 00:02:53.260 --> 00:02:57.570 align:middle line:84% fish become a percentage of mercury, 00:02:57.570 --> 00:03:01.040 align:middle line:90% become a poison statistic. 00:03:01.040 --> 00:03:08.180 align:middle line:84% To where copper mines back against a million blue acres 00:03:08.180 --> 00:03:10.490 align:middle line:90% of sacred. 00:03:10.490 --> 00:03:16.160 align:middle line:84% I am from Nibi and Ogichidaakweg, women warriors 00:03:16.160 --> 00:03:18.410 align:middle line:90% and water protectors. 00:03:18.410 --> 00:03:22.560 align:middle line:84% From seed gatherers and song makers. 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:29.570 align:middle line:84% The wet where pulse in my belly whispers and repeats 00:03:29.570 --> 00:03:35.180 align:middle line:84% like the endless chant of waves on ledge rock. 00:03:35.180 --> 00:03:43.325 align:middle line:84% Waves on ledge rock, on ledge rock, on waves on water. 00:03:43.325 --> 00:03:43.825 align:middle line:90% Nibi. 00:03:43.825 --> 00:03:47.168 align:middle line:90% [APPLAUSE] 00:03:47.168 --> 00:03:52.910 align:middle line:90% 00:03:52.910 --> 00:03:55.150 align:middle line:90% Meegwetch for that.