I cannot but wonder if those who are here complaining actually read the OP or anything I have written since then.
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Thanksgiving: An American Indian Perspective
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Some of my ancestors where living in Mass. in the early 1600's. I don't know what their views were about relationships with the Indians so I cannot criticize them. But I can tell you how I feel about it.
When migrates come to another land that belongs to another people we do not have the right to steal it from them. We do not have the right to force them to live as we live or to accept our religion. The only colony that I know of that dealt fairly with the Indians was RI, founded by Roger Williams. He purchased the land from the Indians and respected their way of life. David Brainard went and lived, for several years, with the Indians to bring them the Gospel but it was done with love, not by force. I don't believe he would have condoned taking Indian children away from their parents and putting them in church boarding schools, where they were not even allowed to speak their own language with each other.
The Cherokee were a peaceful people, developed a written language, wrote a tribal Constitution, were farmers, built stick houses, and what happened. Their land was stolen from them and The Trail of Tears was their reward.
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We love you! You are part of our community. Try to have a good day today! 
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We love you! You are part of our community. Try to have a good day today!
Whew... Thank you. Quite honestly, I expected these attacks. I knew they would come when I talk about something that makes people uncomfortable and defensive. An elder once told me that this is kind of treatment is to be expected and that it is a part of being NDN. I have always believed her, because it has been proven time and time again throughout my lifetime. Some people are apparently unable to discuss difficult issues or problems rationally without resorting to insults and personal attacks.
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You are correct. This is not something that has only happened in the past as if it is ancient history and no longer matters. But this thread is not about arguing or debating. It is meant to be about educating and bringing awareness to the true history of this holiday and to the history of Native Americans in this country. I knew the accusations would immediately fly, but speaking out against the myths, stereotypes, and misrepresentation of my people, our culture, and our history, is important enough to me to withstand all the insults and mockery. I learned a long time to stand up for what I believe in, no matter the cost or whether or not I stand alone. It is respect and compassion that will bring healing and reconciliation. I am willing to take the steps to healing and reconciliation in my own life, not just for myself, but also for my husband and our children.
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tadoflamb
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Senator John McCain recently sneaked into a 'must pass' bill legislation giving land sacred to the San Carlos Apache to a foreign multi-national mining company. While we're not unfamiliar with taking lands from native peoples, this is the first time the US has given it to a foreign company.
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yes, I did read it.
and once through was enough to confirm that you're still playing the guilt/sympathy card.
many others here also have hard lives but they choose to do things differently than you have.
So I've got to ask that age-old question....how's that working out for you?
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Senator John McCain recently sneaked into a 'must pass' bill legislation giving land sacred to the San Carlos Apache to a foreign multi-national mining company. While we're not unfamiliar with taking lands from native peoples, this is the first time the US has given it to a foreign company.
Yes, I know about this. It was all over the NDN groups. The video of him being chased off the Navajo rez is hilarious. I think we should talk about this more in private.
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Well, pdudgeon, you are incorrect. If my memory serves me correctly, I seem to recall you mentioning to me that you had ancestors who came on the Mayflower. If that is true, then I better understand why this discussion might upset you. You are entitled to think what you like, but you are incorrect in your assessment of me and my OP.
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I'm sorry people are giving you flak. I don't have a problem with Thanksgiving, as I don't see it as anything but a day to be thankful for blessings and share them with others. Yeah we got the Pilgrim/Indian thing in grade school... but that was a long time ago for me lol.
What makes me really angry is that I never learned about how NA (North and South Americans) were treated/exterminated until I got out of college! History in school was a joke. We were basically taught that yes, there were slaves here- but we freed them because we were such a great country! Columbus was a hero for finding this place and it was virtually uninhabited! I later read that Tenochtitlan was actually bigger than London at the time, London being in the 'civilized' world! There were Indians here, yes they were moved to reservations, and while that wasn't exactly fair, it was ok for them. No mention of the Trail of Tears at all. No mention that hot climate people were moved to freezing ones where they couldn't survive, etc. There was next to nothing mentioned of women's history either. Never knew the Chinese built most of the western American railroads either. Very little mention of the social justice movement. So sad. Needless to say, I home school lol.
I do think it's tragic how whole populations (as well as whole animal species like the passenger pigeon) were used up and exterminated. No, I don't feel guilty for it, I am not personally ashamed of it; my ancestors came here after. But I can still loathe and despise an evil act, teach my children about the truth (difficult as it can be to find sometimes), and try to live better.
What makes me really angry is that I never learned about how NA (North and South Americans) were treated/exterminated until I got out of college! History in school was a joke. We were basically taught that yes, there were slaves here- but we freed them because we were such a great country! Columbus was a hero for finding this place and it was virtually uninhabited! I later read that Tenochtitlan was actually bigger than London at the time, London being in the 'civilized' world! There were Indians here, yes they were moved to reservations, and while that wasn't exactly fair, it was ok for them. No mention of the Trail of Tears at all. No mention that hot climate people were moved to freezing ones where they couldn't survive, etc. There was next to nothing mentioned of women's history either. Never knew the Chinese built most of the western American railroads either. Very little mention of the social justice movement. So sad. Needless to say, I home school lol.
I do think it's tragic how whole populations (as well as whole animal species like the passenger pigeon) were used up and exterminated. No, I don't feel guilty for it, I am not personally ashamed of it; my ancestors came here after. But I can still loathe and despise an evil act, teach my children about the truth (difficult as it can be to find sometimes), and try to live better.
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