Native American poetry

I got two books back from re-cataloging today that caught my attention. The first is Voice of the Turtle: American Indian Literature 1900-1970, an anthology of short stories. The other book is The Dirt is Red Here: Art and Poetry from Native California. It has a number of fascinating poems and art like this one by Sylvia Ross:

SISTERS

Talking at the table until late
When everyone else is asleep

Sister, we are the bear women
We wear abalone shell necklaces
We carry baskets
We hold our men in great bear women
Arms

Sister, we were too far apart
In our births
We never played together
Never danced with the same boys
Didn't share small children
Like other Sisters did

But while you talk
Our mother's voice comes out of
Your wonderful bear woman mouth
Our mother's laugh shakes your belly
Though it is much smaller
Than hers ever was

My sister, we are the bear women
We have the power
To crash through brush, to smash
The clouds and pluck stars down
To make a meal

Sister tonight your voice
Brings our mother back to us
Her great bear woman presence
Fills all the space
Of this room.