Celebrate Indigenous Day and Thanksgiving!
Marcelene Anderson
Aligns employee and organizational purposes for engagement, results, loyalty I Author, Consultant and Speaker
Although it may seem like these are two unrelated celebrations, they share a common basis. For without the generosity of native people to share the land, their knowledge of ecology, native plant medicines, hunting practices, governmental systems and principles, methods for survival, and countless other things, the settlers and many of our ancestors would not have survived.
An important contribution came from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Founded by the Great Peacemaker in 11421, it is the oldest living participatory democracy on earth2 and inspired the formation of the United States of America and its representative democracy. In 1988, the U.S. Senate paid tribute with a resolution3 that said, "The confederation of the original 13 colonies into one republic was influenced by the political system developed by the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, as were many of the democratic principles which were incorporated into the constitution itself."
Thanksgiving is an occasion to give an expression of gratitude for the bounty of all we have in our lives and to honor Indigenous Peoples' Day, recognizing the past, present, and futures of Native peoples throughout the US, Canada, and the world. The holiday recognizes the legacy and impact of colonialism on Native communities, and it also celebrates the cultures, contributions, and resilience of contemporary sovereign nations.
Let us celebrate Thanksgiving every day in our hearts and not let it be just a once year event.
Indigenous Day builds awareness of the rich history of this land that is inextricably tied to the first peoples of this country and predates the voyage of Christopher Columbus. It also brings communities together worldwide. Colonization has affected Indigenous Peoples across the globe, from the Americas to Australasia and Europe. As such, Indigenous Peoples’ Day links Indigenous communities together. This can serve as a time to highlight similarities, learn about the diversity of Indigenous cultures, and foster shared understanding and common ground.
Ultimately, by understanding Indigenous perspectives, acknowledging the legacy of colonialism, and honoring the histories, cultures, contributions, and resilience of contemporary Native Peoples, the observation of Indigenous Peoples’ Day has the power to shift perceptions of Native communities and people. Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day, in lieu of Columbus Day, is a step forward towards undoing a legacy of bias and discrimination faced by Native peoples.
Learn more about how you can celebrate Indigenous Day any time of year and in years to come:
1) Johansen, B. E. (1995). Dating the Iroquois Confederacy. Akswesane Notes New Series, 1, 62-63. Retrieved November 30, 2018
2) The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2018, Oct. 4). Iroquois Confederacy. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved November 30, 2018
3) The United States. Select Committee on Indian Affairs. (1988). H. Con. Res. 331. Retrieved on November 20, 2018
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For future information contact: Marcelene Anderson, MA, CMC
Raven Strategic Consulting
Marcelene@ravenstrategic.com
(226) 503-8583