CHIEF DRAGGING CANOE

~ Tsi'yu-gunsini ~

He was a Mighty Warrior,

standing proud and tall.

War Chief of the Cherokee Nation,

when the settlers came to call.

*

Many seem to misunderstand,

the intentions of this man.

He meant no harm to others,

fought for his love of the land.

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He saw deep into the future,

knew our people could not survive.

Without the means of hunting,

the lands of the Cherokee pride.

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The son of Attakullakulla,

for seventeen years he tried.

to reverse the Treaty of Sycamore Shoals,

that bloody trail we once occupied.

*

As his resistance continued,

the Dragon he was soon to be known.

When in his heart all he wanted,

was what we then rightfully owned.

*

Many lies this Leader was told,

and some treaties may be alright.

But for this Mighty Warrior,

only for those to old too fight.

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Such speeches that he spoke,

a powerful influence so strong.

Young Warrior's pride followed him,

they knew to stand where they belonged.

*

Judge this man not,

for his beliefs of what was right.

Until you have walked his path,

with the visions of Cherokee insight.

*

So before you call him Savage,

look into his heart of things past,

Then you may begin to understand,

why Chief Dragging Canoe's memory last.

*

copyright

Ge-ta-wi-(ni)

~ Katherine ~

aka

HairDark

08/11/00

To learn more of the history Chief Dragging Canoe War Chief of the Cherokee Nation visit D. Ray Smith's Web Site