11 Methods to Relearn Thanksgiving and to Honor Native Peoples
With Native American Heritage Month nicely underway and Thanksgiving/Nationwide Day of Mourning occurring tomorrow, it is a superb time to have fun Indigenous Peoples’ brilliance, honor and acknowledge reality in historical past, acknowledge whose land we’re on, and work in direction of true allyship. We name upon our Cultural Survival neighborhood to study from Indigenous Peoples and their true account of this federal vacation, confront settler mythologies of this nation’s historical past, perceive how American colonialism and imperialism proceed to influence Indigenous communities right this moment, and to take steps in direction of true reconciliation. Discover the numerous methods to honor and have fun Indigenous Peoples day by day.
1. Study the Actual Historical past of Thanksgiving.
Learn and share these articles!
For Youngsters:
Watch Captured 1614
2. Find out about Land Acknowledgement, Conventional Lands, and Treaties.
For those who’re uncertain in regards to the Indigenous Peoples’ land you might be residing on, you may search your location utilizing Native Land. The Native Governance Heart shares this helpful Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgement.
Different assets embrace Tribal Nations Maps, a supply of laborious copy maps that establish the standard lands of Tribes in North and South America and the Caribbean, and the Smithsonian’s digital archive of treaties made between the USA and Indigenous Tribes.
The US has ratified greater than 370 treaties with Native American Nations. But, many People know little in regards to the treaties that formed and proceed to influence the nation right this moment.
3. Help Indigenous-led Nonprofits.
Support Native organizations in your space who’re working laborious to enhance the well being, well-being, livelihoods and to uphold the rights of Native People throughout Indian nation.
In Cambridge, MA, the place we’re headquartered on Massachusett land, we associate with Native American Indian Center of Boston and United American Indians of New England, and assist Eastern Woodland Rematriation. Additionally present your assist for the Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project, Native Land Conservancy, Wampanoag Trading Post and Gallery, The Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag, Ohketeau Cultural Center, and Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness.
4. Hearken to Indigenous Voices.
Landback – A Conversation with Demetrius Johnson
Demetrius Johnson (Diné) is a #LandBack Organizer at Fast Metropolis, South Dakota-based nonprofit NDN Collective. Initially from Tółaní, Ganado, Arizona, Johnson started neighborhood organizing shortly after being elected President of Kiva Membership across the disastrous Gold King Mine spill that affected his folks in 2015. Cultural Survival’s Indigenous Rights Radio Coordinator, Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan), spoke with Johnson about his work on NDN Collective’s #LandBack Marketing campaign.
The Importance of Deskaheh in the International Indigenous Movement
On July 14, 1923, the Hereditary Chief of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Deskaheh Levi Basic (Cayuga), traveled to Geneva, Switzerland, to talk earlier than the League of Nations. He sought to acquire worldwide recognition of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (traditionally often called the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, composed of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora Nations) as a sovereign Indigenous Nation ruled by a hereditary council of chiefs.
5. Decolonize Your Dinner With Your Native Indigenous Cooks and Eating places
Native cooks have created a culinary motion with the aim of getting Indigenous folks to honor their ancestors by means of their dietary selections. Convey Native American dishes to the dinner desk.
6. Rent Indigenous Performers and Educators for Your Subsequent Occasion.
Rent Native performers, keynote audio system, and educators for an occasion!
8. Purchase Native This Vacation Season. #ShopIndigenous
If you wish to assist Indigenous companies however are uncertain of the road between cultural appropriation and appreciation, take a look at Cultural Survival’s resource list. Try our Cultural Survival Bazaar Artist Directory. For a big selection of companies and items, take a look at NativeWeb’s database of Native-owned companies.
11. Finish Racist Native Mascots in Sports activities.
There are nonetheless greater than 1,000 highschool, college {and professional} groups that proceed to have Native American mascots. Although modifications have been made at the highschool and faculty ranges, on the skilled degree there was nearly no change. Begin the change in your neighborhood. Check out our Abolishing Racist Native Mascots: A Toolkit for Change. Get entangled: #NotYourMascot, #ChangeTheName, and #NoHonorInRacism.
