The Most Important Thing About Elders

by Jerome, Julius, Angel, Venessa, Diane, Sigfred,
Anna, Adrian, Shon, Aaron, and Kristen

The most important thing about you
Is that you have always been there for us.

You tell us great stories about survival,
And childhood a long time ago.

You teach us important traditional things.
You teach us how to fish in the summer and winter,
How to sew, chop wood, and work hard.

You inspire us to know the river well,
Use a good sense of humor,
Spend valuable time with our family,
And be helpful.

But, the most important thing about you
Is that you have always been there for us.

(A poem by Upper Elementary students in White Mountain,
adapted from The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown)