Sacrifice

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When I went away to boarding school
we were not allowed to speak our language.
‘English only’ we were told. One day
I couldn’t remember the word for bathroom.
I’m ashamed to tell you this even now.
I wet myself and for this the teacher made me
stand in front of the class for hours.

When caught speaking our native tongue
we were whipped, or had soap put
in our mouths and our lips taped shut.
One boy died of suffocation.

This is why we didn’t teach you
young ones our language.
We didn’t want bad things
to happen to you.

So when you stand in this Longhouse
to speak, don’t say, ‘I apologize
to my elders for not knowing our language.’

English is your language now.
We gave it to you.
We wanted to keep you safe.