"The Menominee Indian Tribe’s rich culture, history, and residency in the area now known as the State of Wisconsin, and parts of the States of Michigan and Illinois, dates back 10,000 years. At the start of the Treaty Era in the early 1800’s, the Menominee occupied a land base estimated at 10 million acres; however, through a series of seven treaties entered into with the United States Government during the 1800’s, the Tribe witnessed its land base erode to little more than 235,000 acres today. The Tribe experienced further setbacks in the 1950’s with the U.S. Congress’ passage of the Menominee Termination Act, which removed federal recognition over the Tribe and threatened to deprive Menominee people of their cultural identity. Fortunately, the Tribe won back its federal recognition in 1973 through a long and difficult grassroots movement that culminated with the passage of the Menominee Restoration Act, Public Law 93-197, on December 22, 1973." - https://www.menominee-nsn.gov/CulturePages/BriefHistory.aspx
"I began writing when I was nine, as a way to keep myself company because at that time there was only one other Indian family living near us and I was not accepted at elementary school...In about 1973 or 1974, I began keeping a journal again. I started writing poems again, many of them reflective of the political work I had become involved in. When I began this new phase, I was concerened with making the real lives of First Nation people visible and addressing the political struggles we face. This continues to be the main focus of my work." - Chrystos
Poem: The Old Indian Granny (pg 232)