Many who have attended our events in the past have probably had the pleasure of meeting NoTail Bear. So while we’ve had to move away from larger gatherings and events that we used to host, use this new book as a way to keep our mission close to your heart.
The book opens with a poem penned in 2020
“LETTER TO MY JAILER”
I stand here in my self-imposed prison.
Walls not made of brick or mortar,
Bars not made of steel.
Instead, walls made from low self-esteem,
Anger, depression and hate.
And bars made of no forgiveness within my heart.
I search for a key to set my spirit free.
A key not made of gold, silver or brass
But a key made of self-esteem, love,
happiness and forgiveness
I can see the key.
It is within my grasp.
I still have one last thing, one last task,
Perhaps the hardest one of all:
How do I find forgiveness for the things
I’ve done to me?
Growing up in the early 1950’s, Bear learned almost nothing about his Native heritage from family. It was a time when the US census did not even acknowledge Native Americans, and it was not until Bear was an adult that he began to uncover his family’s background. The volume includes poems spanning more than twenty years and reflects a view of life from a Native American veteran who came to understand and appreciate his family’s roots. Although a small collection, the poems are both powerful and poignant. The book is available for sale in our WEB STORE and from the museum when we re-open.