" Katie - Woman

I remember my first sight of the Woman.
I stood in the shadow of her doorway
I watched her cut her granddaughter's hair-
"Get away from there" she said to me
"Don't stand and stare" she scolded.

"What a hard woman, I thought in my child's mind.
A mean old woman, my eyes saw.

The years passed.
I heard small bits and pieces of her life:
Trapper, hard working, respected, wise.

All these words were used to describe this woman.
I grew up, met and married a trapper, raised four children.
I saw some of the world through the eyes of this woman.

The hands are old and pained with arthritis, The hair is a steel grey. The words I use to describe this woman we respected: Wise, hardworking and trapper.

Alberta M.

Native Women Write Now, Fort McMurray: Keyano College, p. 3