Published in · 7 min read · Nov 23, 2021
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By Markell Foster (He/Him) and Onipede Oluwatobiloba Ifeoluwa (she/her)
GaneshSpace is a grassroots community organization dedicated to advancing social justice through mindfulness education. By healing and reflecting on the identities and biases we embody, we can create collective change together. Consider donating here. With your support, we can continue to center the needs of the most marginalized to create collective healing for all of us.
Contrary to what is popularly believed to be the idea behind the creation of Thanksgiving, the real story is nothing like what has been passed down from generations to generations. Indeed, stories passed down about the first Thanksgiving have done nothing but further embellish detrimental tags and have refurbished the true story of the encounters native communities went through in the hands of colonizers.
Rather than a day to make merry, Thanksgiving is a real-life reminder for many Native Americans the unstopping assault on their culture, the genocide of millions of their ancestors, merciless land grabbing, forced relocation, hostility, slavery, and a forceful attempt at obliterating the Native American Culture. Many Native Americans observe Thanksgiving as The National Day of Mourning since it represents a protest to a celebration in which the true history of their people is erased. Additionally, the day following Thanksgiving is observed nationally as Native American Heritage Day, a day for non-Native Americans to support and learn more about this significant community of American people.
This Thanksgiving, you can do something truly remarkable and different, no, it is not sufficient to be an ally just in passing. Actively understanding and taking steps to join native communities in breaking stereotypes and cultivating a culture of true acceptance is one of many things you can do.
Here are a few ways you can as well honor indigenous people this Thanksgiving. (Also watch GaneshSpace’s Compassionate Conversation on this for more!)
It’s vital to understand that the land you are currently living still currently belongs to Native communities. Remember that historically, their land was taken away through colonization and violence and we as Americans are still benefiting off of this occupation. So the first thing you can do is research the land you actually occupy at sites like Native Land, and then do additional research on how you can support the tribes in the area. It’s vital to understand that the land you are currently living in still currently belongs to Native communities. There are over 326 Indian Reservations that were set aside by the Federal Government as Native American Reservations. California has one of the largest populations of Native Americans in the Coachella Valley. So the next time you think of a popular festival, think of the people who make up much more than a trend but a culture filled with history that stretches beyond the spectrum of light.
Thanksgiving has been celebrated as a national holiday that marks a time for friendship, sharing and carrying on communal activities. This is contrary to the rejection and genocide faced by the Wampanoag people, the people of the first light who were the ones that encountered the pilgrims upon their arrival in Turtle Island in the early 1600s. Listening to people who shed more light on topical issues affecting Indigenous people will help put things in clearer perspective.
So many activists are speaking up and propagating tons of helpful causes. This Thanksgiving, you can research a cause specific to Native American communities and donate to them. Your donation may be monetary, just lending your time or your ear and presence to a mission they hold dear. Frome GaneshSpace to our friends at International Indigenous Youth Council and the American Indian College Fund to lend your love and support.
By incorporating food items like beans, corn, turkey, wild rice and pumpkins, you will be celebrating the Native American culture. You may also try amazing recipes and enjoy some Indigenous food options with your family. There’s nothing better than giving thanks for all the things and people you’re grateful for. Thanksgiving is more than just giving thanks, it’s the celebration of everything that stands for Indigenous people near or far, past and present honoring them. Check out 10 delicious Indigenous dishes on Delish.com. You can prepare these meals as well as make a Spirit Plate at your Thanksgiving table. A Spirit Plate is a daily practice when practiced in its pure form, but we recommend it specifically for Thanksgiving to honor the Native Americans who are often overlooked on this day. Every time you eat you prepare a small plate that is taken to a place near your home and left there as an offering. It is food for the spirits, for the hungry and mystery of life. Even by taking it to the cemetery as a way of remembering some who have died. It’s a way of giving thanks. The gift of life extension by feeding one another. Before eating a Spirit Plate is prepared and offered to the ceremonial fire or Mother Earth as a thank you for all we have received and a prayer for the continuation of life, that all the nations on Earth have enough food and water.
History may be cumbersome to read for some people. Movies help to put things in a nice visual perspective for people so break your thanksgiving tradition by using this medium to equip yourself with more knowledge. A few recommendations on a few amazing movies and tv shows to watch: Reservation Dogs Four Sheets To The Wind, Smoke Signals, The Land Of Rock and Gold and Trickster.
There are many small businesses you can show support to this Thanksgiving and beyond. Honor this month by educating yourself and truly understanding the importance of this month to Native Americans as well as actively seeking ways to break stereotypes and understanding what amounts to cultural appropriation are few of the ways you can truly honor indigenous people this Thanksgiving. Take a look at our short list of Native American and Indigenous brands you can support below.
- B.Yellowtail: Jewelry, home goods, skin care
- Bedré: Specialty chocolate foods
- Beyond Buckskin Boutique: Clothing, jewelry, home goods, cosmetics
- Bison Star Naturals: Clothing, cosmetics, skin care
- Cheekbone Beauty: Cosmetics, tools
- Eighth Generation: Clothing, accessories, home goods, jewelry, fine art
- Emmett Navakuku: Jewelry
- Etkie: Beaded bracelets
- Ginew: Clothing, accessories
- I Am Anishinaabe: Clothing, jewelry, accessories
- Indigo Arrows: Home goods
- Kotah Bear: Jewelry, home goods, accessories
- Lauren Good Day: Clothing, accessories
- Manitobah Mukluks: Shoes, mitts, gloves
- Medicine of the People: Skin care, personal care
- Native Gorilla: Clothing, jewelry, accessories
- NotAbove: Jewelry, rugs
- NSRGNTS: Clothing, home goods, accessories, jewelry
- OXDX Clothing: Clothing, art
- Quw’utsun’ Made: Skin care, candles, fragrances, stickers, clothing
- Raven Reads: Literature, giftware
- Satya: Organic skin care
- Séka Hills: Specialty foods
- Sequoia: Skin care, candles
- SheNative: Clothing, accessories
- Shima’: Skin care, specialty foods
- Sister Sky: Skin care, hair care
- Sisters Sage: Skin care, spiritual items
- Skwálwen Botanicals: Skin care
- The NTVS: Clothing, accessories, art
- Thunder Voice Hat Co.: Hats, clothing, accessories, art
- TPMOCS: Baby moccasins
- Trickster Company: Clothing, paper goods, home goods
- Urban Native Era: Clothing, accessories
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Markell is a well rounded Creative. With a professional career in Education, Journalism, PR and Fashion . Being involved in the community is imporotant From doing services with Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. has instilled the importance of giving back and being a firm believer in inspiring not only your people but the world. Currently Markell has on-going partnerships with Forever 21, Boohoo Man, Ugg, PacSun, Cantu and Styling behind the scenes for the top Modeling Agencies in NYC. Markell has enter a new role as Operations and Editorial Assistant for GaneshSpace.
Oluwatobiloba or Tobi (she/her) is a Nigerian Lawyer and freelance writer who lives and breathes words. Bringing life to meaningful conversations all around the world by helping to create inspiring and articulate posts brings her utmost joy. Her personal watchword is “if you can think it, then I can write it”.
Tobi has been a freelancer for over 5 years and has written articles that have enjoyed wide coverage in several corners of the world. In her spare time, she loves to travel, try her hands on exciting new ventures, watch sports and read novels.
