Dana’s Thanksgiving Wishes

Originally posted at The Festering Swamp on November 22, 2007

Back on June 13, 2008, I posted what was effectively the last of my saved posts from my days as a Festering Swamp contributor, but I mentioned that I had one more saved that I would re-post at Thanksgiving. This is that post. It was written by Dana, a regular commenter at The Festering Swamp back in the day and an occasional commenter here. For those who are unfamiliar with Dana, she is of American Indian descent. Here are her thoughts on the Thanksgiving Day holiday. Enjoy! – Mike LaRoche

Let me be perfectly clear this Thanksgiving: as a card-carrying American Indian, I am unequivocally not suffering from Myth #11. Not one teeny-tiny little bit, because this Thanksgiving finds me as always with a heart overflowing at the gracious plenty in my life. So blessed am I, it would be easy to give thanks daily for all I have (gosh, what a novel idea…Giving Daily Thanks…). You ask, what is Myth #11? Is it contagious? Do I have it? Did I forget to wash my hands? Is there an antidote?

Let me explain. Myth #11 is one of 11 myths recorded in Oyate's Deconstructing the Myths of the "First Thanksgiving". Oyate is an organization dedicated to preserving an accurate historical record of American Indians. Myth #11 is what the Seattle School District referenced in a letter sent to all teachers and staff last week as a reminder that American Indian students and their families may be experiencing difficulties during Thanksgiving.

From Oyate - Myth #11 says: Thanksgiving is a happy time.

Fact: For many Indian people, "Thanksgiving" is a time of mourning, of remembering how a gift of generosity was rewarded by theft of land and seed corn, extermination of many from disease and gun, and near total destruction of many more from forced assimilation. As currently celebrated in this country, "Thanksgiving" is a bitter reminder of 500 years of betrayal returned for friendship."

I don't have time to dissect Myth #11 in its entirety as I still have two pies to make and potatoes to peel but certainly we can all agree on the historical evidence that the American Indian got a very raw deal - as most aboriginal people throughout the world have. If you add up the obscenely forced submission and assimilation while ancient tradition and culture faced eradication, only to be followed by the ubiquitous reservations which were nothing more than forced segregated ghettos of the 19^th century, the sum total could be nothing other than a seriously raw deal.

With that said though it is good to remember that American Indians are no longer held captive, no longer forced to live on reservations, no longer denied the same opportunities as any other citizen of this great land, and no longer bound to live in the history of past. Opportunity abounds and knows no limits other than what one imposes upon oneself.

Wouldn't it have been great if the Seattle School District instead used this golden opportunity to send a letter to all teachers and staff asking them to encourage and inspire their students, no matter their ethnicity, and create their own lists of what they are thankful for.

Wouldn't it have been wonderful to see all students, no matter their ethnicity, be unified under the humble banner of Thankfulness?

It frustrates me to read a statement that American Indians in 2007 may feel that 'Thanksgiving is a time of mourning' and '…a bitter reminder of 500 years of betrayal returned for friendship'. To any who choose to be in mourning and choose to be bitter, I would like to share:

My List of What I am Thankful For

1. I am thankful my parents never spoke of, never offered, never suggested in any way, shape or form, that my ethnic heritage and history would or could be a viable excuse - for anything.

2. I am thankful that I know I have the glorious freedom to choose to make my life what I want it to be – no matter how hard and no matter how many obstacles to overcome.

3. I'm thankful for the freedom to worship without fear of persecution…or prosecution – no matter how much my faith offends or irritates anyone else.

4. I am thankful for the freedom to express my political persuasion, views and opinions, loudly – no matter how much it offends liberals.

5. I am thankful that I am guaranteed a right to vote for my elected officials… or to run for office myself if I choose to do so.

6. I am thankful that believers and atheists, Republicans and Democrats and everyone in between are all endowed with the same freedoms that I am.

7. I am thankful that I live in a country where it is the U.S. Constitution that is our framework for laws and context and what we strive to adhere to… and not Sharia Law.

8. I am thankful there are men and women who have been gifted with a great measure of courage and boldness that compels them to fight on the front lines to protect these freedoms we hold dear.

9. I am thankful that I have never had to go to be hungry nor walk miles to find food for my children.

10. I am thankful I have clothes on my back… in my closet… and in my dresser drawers.

11. I am thankful that every night when I lay my head down on my pillow there is a roof above me and I can once again whisper in the darkness my deep and heartfelt thanks to God for all that He has provided.

Who has time to be in mourning or be bitter for what took place ages ago? There is too much calling right here and now to be grateful for. I only have to look forward with hope and continue to give thanks. Happy Thanksgiving! And I mean it.