As I sit here on this day of Thanksgiving, I reflect on my current situation and what it would have been like if my ancestors had never arrived into the Americas. My recent curiosity into exploring my own cultural and ancestral identity has caused me to consider what other cultural influences or contributions have persuaded my present day experience.

For many of us we see this day as a day of togetherness; a time for coming together as a family or community to share in conversation while enjoying a good meal. I don’t want to take away that value with this post, because for some it doesn’t always happen. I just wanted to say that to every coin there are two sides that must be acknowledged.

When I think back to my primary education with the first introduction to the textbook version of American History; the story particular to this post comes to mind. It tells of the history with Thanksgiving, and how it became a holiday. A day that many of us in the United States recognize and celebrate.

If the story is to be believed then European immigrants, and the Indigenous people came together to celebrate in peace and harmony one fateful day, and lived in peace and harmony well after. Well… If you check in with the Indigenous people they will probably give you a different narrative about this day of Thanksgiving, and their experiences with early settlers.

For many Indigenous people it was a time of great trauma. European colonists sailed across to the Atlantic, and claimed lands that were already occupied by people who had utilized the space for thousands of years.

Okay, I don’t want this to be a history lesson… My intent for this post is to acknowledge the traumas that were endured by millions of Indigenous people after the arrival of other people’s from different continents on this land.

I acknowledge that while our traumas historically in this land are very different, there are some commonalities which are shared. I sense the pain of your ancestors, as I do my own ancestral connection to this land with feelings of being unwanted or undervalued. I acknowledge the false narratives that this land belongs to early European settlers or that other people who have come to this continent by force or in search of better opportunity are not as deserving to be here.

I wanted to thank Indigenous people for the land, resources and opportunities in which it has afforded me. This is my Thanksgiving to you!