IMAGE OF NETTIE BRAZEAU GOINGS
I first posted this in November 2011. I am sharing it again as a reminder that we can’t keep perpetuating the old myths. Let’s instead honor the truth, and transform it with the light of our understanding.
“Since 1970, the Wampanoag Tribe has declared Thanksgiving a national day of mourning for the loss of indigenous people’s lives, culture and land.
“Our presence here is a stark reminder of the true story of Thanksgiving that differs so much from the fabled stories shared in classrooms, history books and celebrations across this nation,” Brian Weeden, chair of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe said. “We will never forget the atrocities that fell upon our people as a result of their violent trespass.”
To this day, the Wampanoag Tribe continues to fight with the federal government over land.
“Here we are about to celebrate Thanksgiving, and the fact that our tribe is still fighting for what little bit of land we have — we own half of 1% of our ancestral territory — and 400 years later, we don’t have much to be thankful for,” Weeden said.
“Well, we can’t change the past, but we can change the future,” Chief Ladybug said. “And the way we change the future is to educate people and start understanding that this is not a day of celebration. This is a day of mourning.”
Below is original post from 2011…
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As we celebrate Thanksgiving in the US we are reminded like Terra Trevor said on the Huffington Post:
“the ‘Thanksgiving’ holiday was coined and continues to be celebrated based on a story that does not include factual Native American history.. It serves as a period of remembering how a gift of generosity was rewarded by theft of land and seed corn, extermination of many Native people from disease, and near total elimination of many more from forced assimilation. As celebrated in America ‘Thanksgiving’ is a reminder of 500 years of betrayal.”
She continues:
“I’m within the assemblage of American Indians whose family and Native friends celebrates Thanksgiving. But our focus is not on pilgrims. We don’t turn their lives topsy-turvy by making lengthy lists of things needing to be done for what has come to be known as Turkey Day. We aren’t in the throng of those who go commercial in the planning and then grumble about the fanfare involved.
“Our celebration is deep-rooted in the simple tradition of honoring, remembering our ancestors, our history, with a focus on celebrating the harvest. We feast and pray for the healing to begin…”
I found this channelling by Wes Annac and I wanted to share it with all of you in light of this Thanksgiving holiday here in the US…
“We wish to talk to you about the holiday that many know as Thanksgiving. This is a holiday that is being celebrated in the United States, and we wish you to know that yes, it does have a very dark history.
“Upon coming to the New World, those souls who were supposed to be just visiting and working peacefully with the Native Americans instead betrayed them and destroyed their lands. Many of you have awoken to these truths and you know this and that is very good, and we are very happy to see this coming about, but too many on your world are still stuck in these mental boxes that keep them from (fully) knowing these things…
“So as you go about your celebrations, we ask you to honor the spirits of those who had their lands forcefully taken away from them, and at the same time dear souls we ask you to honor, we ask you to appreciate the bounty that you are being blessed with on these holidays. Many of you will be eating a lot of food and though while much of this food is meat-based and thus (it can be) quite unhealthy for your spirit and body complexes, the appreciation and the coming together, and the happiness that comes off of these holidays is what is to be felt and recognized (in) these times.
“We guide to you all now to appreciate every little thing, not just on the holidays but every single day. Dear souls treat every day as if it were a holiday, and let yourself feel the coming together and the appreciation of these holidays, let yourselves feel this dear souls, for it is great.”
Here is the Native American Haudenosaunee Prayer honoring our Mother Earth and all of Creation:
“We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our Mother, we send thanksgiving, love and respect.
Now our minds are one.
The Waters
We give thanks to all the Waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms – waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans, snow and ice.
We are grateful that the waters are still here and meeting their responsibility to the rest of Creation. Can we agree that water is important to our lives and bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to the Water?
Now our minds are one.
The Fish
We turn our minds to all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Plants
Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.
Now our minds are one.
The Food Plants
With one mind, we honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them as well. We gather together in our minds all the Plant Foods and send them a greeting and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Medicine Herbs
Now we turn to the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning, they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send thanksgiving, love, and respect to the Medicines and the keepers of the Medicines.
Now our minds are one.
The Trees
Standing around us we see all the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who each have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and many useful gifts. Many peoples of the world recognize a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.
Now our minds are one.
The Animals
We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world, who walk about with us. They have many things to teach us as people. We are grateful that they continue to share their lives with us and hope it will always be so. Let’s us put our minds together as one and send our thanks to the Animals.
Now our minds are one.
The Birds
We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them the gift of beautiful songs. Each morning they greet the day and with their songs remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader and to watch over the world. To all the Birds – from the smallest to the largest – we send our joyful greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Four Winds
We are all thankful for the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.
Now our minds are one.
The Thunderers
Now we turn to the west where our Grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers.
Now our minds are one.
The Sun
We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.
Now our minds are one.
Grandmother Moon
We put our minds together and give thanks to our oldest grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night-time sky. She is the leader of women all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. Let us gather our thanks for grandmother Moon together in a pile, layer upon layer of gratitude, and then joyfully fling that pile of thanks high into the night sky that she will know. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.
Now our minds are one.
The Stars
We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to all the Stars.
Now our minds are one.
The Enlightened Teachers
We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring Teachers.
Now our minds are one.
The Creator
Now we turn our thoughts to the Creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.
Now our minds are one.
Closing Words
We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.
Now our minds are one.”
I am grateful to all of you for opening you hearts, for your sisterhood and brotherhood. Our circle of connection is palpable and we are building bridges of light as we join hearts across space and time. You may say I’m a dreamer but I know I’m not the only one ;) Thank you for stepping forth, together we bring in a new time of greater authenticity and heart. Blessings!!!
Peace~
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