You Don’t Look It

ISE Member Beckee Garris was born on the Catawba Indian Reservation in Rock Hill, SC. She is the granddaughter of former Chief Albert H. Sanders, Sr. and the great-granddaughter of former Chief Samuel Taylor Blue. She shares with us a poem from her not-yet-published book. She wrote this poem, titled You Don’t Look It! after hearing this one time too many. She adds: Native People come in all different shades from dark to fair skinned; some even have blue eyes and blonde hair.

Hahayere – Hah-hah-yay-ray- (You laugh)

Útniyere- OOT-nee-yay-ray- (You say to me)

Erathayere- Eh-rah-thah-yay-ray- (You believe me not)

Nieyę nƐnire- Nee-ayang neh-nee-ray- (I am Indian)

Nieyę mąyire yačé- Nee-ayang mong-yee-ray yah-chay (Indian not looking like)

Yę į čutčre mą pehakpąhe tuhare- Yang ing choot-chray mong pay-hahk-pong-hay too-hah-ray-

(Indians in little box)

Yę á èutère m¹ dat kuèimut sáure dáêreáʔhêʔ-

Yang ing choot-chray mong daht koo-chee-moo-too sah-ooray da-ang-ray-ak-hangk

(Indians different from the West I do not look like)

Katapά yêp¹ʔáʔre- Catawba yang-pongk-ak-ray- (I am not full Catawba)

Detidukanahiré yamągere- Day-tee-dookah-heeray yah-mong-gay-ray- (I am of no account thinking)

Himbá, Nanena iskąé- Heem-bah, Nah-nay-nah eeskong-ay- (Yes, my father white)

Yashuna Kataba tareh- Yahk-shoo-nah tah-reh- (My mother Catawba I have)

Namę Kataba- Nah-mang Catawba (My heart Catawba)

HiisáƐre niiyániαʔre-Heesah-eh-ray nee-yah-nee-ak-ray (I am sorry you see me not)

Hindáyane mundá nątire- Heen-dah-yah-nay moon-dah moon-dah nong-tee-ray- (In the mirror I look)

Kataba dikαčƐčure- Catawba dee-ka-cheh-choo-ray- (I am a proud Catawba)

Dehare – Day-hah-ray- (It is me)

 

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