Without them I am no kind of Zuni
I am a combination of two histories
One makes me who I am
The other shapes who I'll be
Both make me the kind of Zuni I am today
I look to the past with longing and despair
Trying to understand why
It slowly disappears
Though I know the wisdom
Of my ancestors will always be rooted in me
The traditions of the old ways
Influence my values of today
Without them I am no kind of Zuni
I respect the ways of the past
And embrace the future
Because it molds the Zuni I am to be
The modern day views
Changed my outlook on life
Though it has not
Changed my values and beliefs
It influenced my life by
Wanting to explore the world
And change the world
The Rez life has created for me
The traditional values
I learned and cherish
Follow me around
To serve as a reminder of
Who I am
I can never be duplicated
For there is no one like me
One who believes in my culture
And understands what it's like to be me
I take pride in myself because
I am a combination of two histories
One makes me who I am
The other shapes who I'll be
Both make me the kind of Zuni I am Todau