“My Poem”
My poem is dedicated to Zintkala Nuni-aka “The Lost Bird,” of Wounded Knee and the Native American female homeless victims-who were sexually assaulted and this caused many victims to go un-reported or justice was never served.
I volunteered with San Juan Catholic Charities and I was assigned as a Case-Manager for the homeless people, assisting and helping with legal issues and gathering local resources. Part of my job led me to three homeless female who were sexually assaulted and went to Sexual Assault Nursing Examiner, (SANE) in Farmington. These Native American females have been turned away and labeled as typical “Drunken Indians”. In addition, many Navajo females’ victims refused to get treatment with the SANE of NW in Farmington and this caused many victims to go un-reported and perpetrators never prosecuted for the crimes they committed. I volunteered a one-night stay Domestic & Sexual Assault Safe House.
“Safe House on the Navajo Nation Reservation”
I didn’t know what to expect
Safe House was in a run-down condition
Its crumbling foundation, & in need of dire repair
As I entered the old wooden floorboards creaked
Ceiling had holes & water was dripping
Obviously it lacked insulation
The house smelled of stale air,
But as I got further into the house
It smelled of clean, crisp Pine-Sol,
Lingered in every corner of the safe house
As I entered the large family room
There were three elderly Navajo women
Who were the latest victims
I felt remorse and utter sadness
That seemed to overwhelm me
They dressed in traditional style
Pleated cotton skirts
Mismatched long sleeve blouses
Several strands of turquoise & silver jewelry
Women's hair were worn in a tradition bun called tseyaal
The lines of their faces were marks of honor
From many countless seasonal conditions
Their strong brown, delicate hands once smooth
Carried many generations of hard work
It was not hard to imagine
As if one of them could be my mother or my grandmother
Written by: Grandma G. Naomi Pine
Lazy Wolf says ...
On Tuesday, Jun 9 at 7:51 AM
I seen this article earlier and was too appalled by it to offer any comment at the time. In native cultures, the woman is sacared or holy, it is really sad to hear that they are being treated in such a manner as this article states. Have we gone craz
23437707