Episode 189 Giving Thanks

On this week's episode, I share a simple ritual we created this Thanksgiving, inspired by Robin Wall Kimmerer's book "Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teaching of Plants". My desire was to honor the Lenni Lenape people who's land we live on, to honor Mother Earth and to acknowledge what Debra Beal, my guest from last week uncovered for me about the origins of Thanksgiving from the indigenous perspective. She said that the original Thanksgiving feast was a celebration by the colonizers once they had massacred a substantial number of Indians. I wanted to take that information and incorporate it into the way my family celebrates Thanksgiving. I think it is critical to be aware and conscious of our history and do what I can to weave it into how we celebrate this holiday. The 12 of us gathered in my home, took turns reading the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address. This translation of the Mohawk version of the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address was developed and published in 1993, and provided courtesy of Six Nations Indian Museum and the Tracking Project. May we bring this depth of gratitude for the natural world not just once a year on Thanksgiving, but every day as we cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Blessings, love and deep gratitude. Links: How To Live On Purpose Haudenosaunee Guide For Educators Podcast 188 with Debra Beal