Nikan Poem by Edwin Baldwin

Nikan is a man who once stood proud and true all across this land
in symbiotic relation with nature endowed by the great creators hand
passed onto him by his ancestors to never take more than his fair share
and always be kind to this land for it's the Mother to all whom she shall bare

When times are lean we all will grow thin together for together we are one
with one voice to sing in harmony for bountiful harvest to our Father the Sun
and give him thanks and praise for warming and making fertile our Mother
who blessed new life into the birthing seasons for every Sister and Brother

Great spirit hear my song of hope that I sing for my people who will cry
we are mighty on the earth give us protection or your children they will die
and our people's blood will flow upon our Mother like deep rivers of raging red
O' Father I can see no solution will you spare us from the white mans dread


I could never make claim to imagine this great man's woeful sorry or despair
Nikan's song is a lonely tune played for the spirit of his people upon the air.


Nikan traslation from the Potawatomi 'MY Friend'

Baamaapii Nikan.......until we meet again my friend