The Blood Flowed Free

This is part of the history with explains more of the Leonard's Ode
I have been advised that the history I had given was not enough, so I
have written this as yet another dedication to the plight of my Native Peoples.
I stand proud for the Native Blood that runs through my veins.

In 1972 terror abound on Pine Ridge Reservation
Traditionals were pitted against pro government natives
This was the start of the new Indian wars
Where many will loose their lives and freedom.

This was to be a new beginning, but the blood flowed free
A new 7th Cavalry has been established
This came in the form of the FBI
Their one task, all natives to be demolished.

The FBI knew no bounds, ignored all regulations
They committed murder, they started strife
The blood flowed free
With the loss of life.

Women and children tucked up where they thought were safe
But the FBI goons drove by and shot up their homes
Babies sleeping in their cribs
Would wake to the sound of angels singing.

And still the blood flowed free.
That was until AIM answered the call,
Proud men and women who stood for all nations
Their task, to bring peace to the Reservation.

Then in 1975 a shooting took place on Indian land.
A lone man chased by the FBI
All because of a stolen pair of cowboy boots
This was all that was needed... another lie.

When the dust and noise had died away
Three men's life force had stained the ground
There would be no peace for those that remained
The men and women who answered the call fleed.

Three men were brought to trial
And one man fleed to the Canada side.
Self defense was the lawyers call
Those three men walked free at the end of it all.

But the one man on the Canada side,
Was caught and illegally brought back to American soil.
The FBI determined that this man pay
For the agents that died that fateful day.

To the stand the brought the might of the government
One woman alone may well have put the gun in Leonard's hand
She was threatened with the lives of her family
If she did not bow to the will of the FBI

Lies flowed through the courtroom, as the blood that flowed that day
The judge was a man who let the lies flow
When the gavel was sounded
Life began in a living hell.

It is now the eve of two thousand and two
Leonard still looks out over prison walls
Remembering the day that he answered the call
But still he has no regrets, for the Creator knows he stands proud

He never killed those FBI agents
There is one that knows but won't come forth
This person must live with the guilt
Just as she/he must live with the blood that was spilt.

And yet the blood that flowed, will never be forgotten.
We will not allow it be .
We are a proud people
And cannot be smited for we stand tall for those that are past and those yet to be