Ancestral Training/Ruthie Tucker

Their resilience and persistence
Is the reason for my existence. 
Their drumming and singing
Keeps time with my heart beating.

The centuries-long fight,
Is passed along through my blood. 
Their struggle, hardship, and plight,
An invisible burden on my shoulders.

I am a mosaic of those who came before,
Walking our homeland. 
Unlearning, relearning, advocating for,
Pieces lost and pieces found.

I make myself palatable, kind, and small.
No one wants to see me seething, 
Thrown into spaces shades too light and
They’d rather me be teaching and hand-holding. 

And so I sit and listen.



My silence is louder than most.
And yet, nothing is said.
My anger is deeper than most. 
And still, I smile and nod. 

I am an ancestor in the making, 
Walking in two worlds.
Striving and creating a new place,
Seventh generation teachings. 

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Ruthie Tucker, SNC class of 22, is an Honors program scholar majoring in education. A proud member of the Menominee Nation, Ruthie is the founder and president of our Council of Indigenous People. She reminds us that we are living on Native Land.