Vax-Zine Summer 2021
Tenderness in Smoke
Written and illustrated by John Paul Amaral From May 28th to August 1st, 2021CE, American Indigenous Peoples faced turmoil with the recovery of 1412 unmarked bodies of American Indigenous children from Canadian government or Christian-operated residential schools. Canada and the USA started the residential and boarding schools aiming to assimilate American Indigenous children into a working populace and cultural genocide, and they operated for over a century until a complete closure in 1996CE. Ongoing investigations of unmarked graves at residential school sites prompted the first Canadian residential school church burning on June 21st, which has led to an additional 56 church burnings as of August 1st, 2021CE. Although the populace seeks to return to a sense of normalcy in a COVID-19 world, the fires remind American Indigenous peoples that change is constant and this one is an opportunity to return those who passed to their families. Hush, my children. You are no longer alone. I am here with you. We will exit this tomb. You will be born from this womb We used to work together to create our world. Your grandparents sent me to clear the plains for hunting. Your mothers and I cooked your meals. Your fathers and I stood up late into the night ensuring your safety. You looked to me for security, and I provided you a home. Yet, they have cluttered our world with their illusions. They asked for you. They offered to take care of you.
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Poets and Writers Coalition Vax-Zine Spring 2021
