What does the poem "Remember" by Joy Harjo mean?

“Remember” by Joy Harjo provides a series of instructions
to advance and enhance a person’s life. Using the second person pronoun “you”
personalizes the poem and allows the reader to feel as though the poet is speaking
directly to her. The poem encourages the reader to assert her ability to survive in the
modern world. 

The poem uses the word
“remember” as a refrain to emphasize the guidance that the poet
provides. This word introduces every new idea presented.  This is a characteristic of
Harjo’s poetry symbolizing the idea that the poem might be thought of as a Native
American chant. Another characteristic of her poetry is the reference to the natural
world: universe, sky, and star.

What are the
reminders provided in the poem?

Sunrise is
the most important time of day

Look at the sunset as it
brings the night.

Always value mothers who give man breathe
and survival.  Never forget how hard it was to give birth. The reader is a part of the
mother and her ancestors.

Welcome the father because
without him there would be no life.

The earth gives the
colors to all people: white, red, yellow, black. Nature can be segregated into many
parts.  Become a part of the natural world by talking and listening to it. The flora and
fauna are alive.

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Remember the plants, trees, animal life who all
have

their tribes, their families, their histories, too. 
Talk to

them,

Listen to them. 
They are alive poems.

The
wind speaks and tells the story of the universe.

Every
group of people connects to the others. Man cannot isolate himself.  He must be a part
of the rest of the world.  Never be stagnant.  Grow.  Allow the language of life to
dance within.

What wonderful advice for a person to include
in his life! The connection to  nature and and the human race frees the person to live
life to its fullest.