Native American Culture

The Native Americans have come so far,
Since thousands of years ago.
It has been many hard times,
Through troubling years they know.

They arrived in the new world,
During the Winter months,
Making life difficult to find food,
Or build their tents or huts.

Already weakened by the voyage,
Most failed to survive the first months,
As their new home was foreign to them,
And they struggled to adjust to such.

Native people called Wampanoag,
Living in Massachusetts helped them stay alive,
They shared their knowledge of growing crops,
And navigation to help the colonists survive.

Native Americans have been great contributors,
The have introduced many edible foods,
Such as squash, corn, sweet potatoes,
Pumpkins, beans with simple and primitive tools.

Almost all things vital to us,
Were introduced to us by Native Americans,
Being first to raise turkeys and other kinds of meat,
And plants like cotton, rubber, and tobacco,
Working hard with tools and their own calloused hands.

They are very talented people,
Making Indian jewelry of every kind.
Necklaces, earrings, and bracelets,
And whatever crossed their minds.

Lovely knitted or woven blankets,
In all colors bright and warm,
They always brought perfection,
Which boasted of their charm.

They made musical instruments,
To entertain themselves.
Flutes and drums and anything,
That enhanced their native dance.

They would gather around the campfire,
And the squaws would dance and chant,
They knew how to entertain themselves,
Which today so many can't.

They were talented in making weapons,
Like bows and arrows and also spears.
They used these tools for getting food,
And used them for many years.

They hunted buffalo and deer,
And other game they found.
While walking through the forest and fields,
For they covered many grounds.

Faye Reyenga © 7/25/2009
Faye Reyenga