https://blog.nativehope.org/what-does-thanksgiving-mean-to-native-americans
“Thanksgiving day is a reminder of the genocide of millions of Native people, the theft of Native lands, and the relentless assault on Native culture. Participants in National Day of Mourning honor Native ancestors and the struggles of Native peoples to survive today. It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection as well as a protest of the racism and oppression which Native Americans continue to experience.”
First, the good stuff, historical, stunning and amazing…
I have become a soul mate of Native American Culture & Traditions in the last 10 years since writing my 1st book, Reconciliation a Son’s Story. It was then, I felt a deep connection to my soul.
It’s Native Americans who knew more than the white man ever knew about well being. Natives invented medicine and proved “whole patient” health care as a right.
Natives believed we humans should live in harmony with nature, and ourselves. Otherwise, humans would not survive. They knew this because they believe also, all life is connected as one, and without harmony with nature, tribes would disappear and cultures would be lost forever.
Let’s look at some of the health care science and practices developed 1000s years ago in Red Rock Canyon, near Las Vegas, NV. You’ll find it stunning and remarkable to learn where and when medicine and health care started.
You’ll also learn Natives knew more than we’ll ever know about the Universe and self care, especially. Us white folks have early Native Americans to thank for building a platform to maintain a healthy life style for their families and tribes. These great early Americans have bragging rights, no doubt in my mind, anyway.
The Piautes setting around the Grand Canyon, including Red Rock Canyon around 15,000 years ago. Learning about the Piautes moved my soul deeply. Judy and I explored Red Rock Canyon about every other day during a recent 2 week stay with new grandson Liam ‘n Mom ‘n Dad. We were both inspired in this beautiful and spiritual place, now preserved for us to learn and explore.
Before leaving you, I’ll highlight here briefly, a few things the Piautes taught the modern white man…
Whole Patient Care
Mental Health
Diet
Spiritual and Meditative
Community Building
Children and Families
God
The bad and really ugly part, sadly…
I will not trigger all of you with the highlights, too many to recount from history and research. But, we know now in school, and in American society as a whole, the terrible damage early Anglo-Saxton (white man) immigrants did to the original Native American spirit.
It was horrific and painful beyond anything I could ever imagine in America’s history except WWII. It was pure genocide. I’m so ashamed and cry for the Piautes who settled in Red Rock Canyon so long ago. I’m sad for the many generations of Native Americans since that who suffered at the bloody hands and treachery of that time so long ago, but not so long ago in our hearts and souls.
We should never forget this atrocity on America’s soil. And, do all that we can on Thanksgiving Day and each day of the year to remember and honor Native American Culture and Traditions.
Happy Thanksgiving 💝
