Introduction: Today, the Thanksgiving holiday represents a time to gather with family, eat delicious foods, and give thanks for the many privileges we have been afforded in our lives. Yet, this holiday centered on gratitude has its roots in the genocide of Native American peoples. How do we continue to give thanks for all that we have while acknowledging the devastating reality of our collective histories? Come talk about the untold historical roots of Thanksgiving and recreating a culture of gratitude in this dialogue.

STEP 1: Build Your Knowledge

Read and think about this quote by Dr. Martin Luther King:

“Our nation was born in genocide when it embraced the doctrine that the original America, the Indian, was an inferior race. Even before there were large numbers of Negroes on our shore, the scar of racial hatred had already disfigured colonial society. From the 16^th century forward, blood flowed in battles over racial supremacy.....Indeed, even today we have not permitted ourselves to reject or feel remorse for this shameful episode. Our literature, our films, our drama, our folklore all exalt it. Our children are still taught to respect the violence which reduced a red-skinned people of an earlier culture into a few fragmented groups herded into impoverished reservations.” Excerpt from Why We Can’t Wait (1964)

Read this article by our WACTC colleague Tanya Powers, Highline College Director of Workforce and Baccalaureate Education, Urban Natives in South King County

Learn about the Standing Rock Indian Reservation and protests to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL)

Stand With Standing Rock Website

Why We Take a Stand at Standing Rock (San Francisco Chronicle)

Fort Laramie Treaty (1868)

STEP 2: Attend the Dialogue on Thursday, November 17 (11:30am-1pm in C111)

During the dialogue, we will discuss these questions:

What is the definition of genocide?
What does the phrase “violence by omission” mean?
What are the historical connections between broken treaties and the current protests to the Dakota Access Pipeline?
What can we do as students, staff and faculty to be more inclusive of Native American/American Indian students, staff and faculty?

STEP 3: Keep Learning

The following links were thoughtfully compiled to offer opportunities for continued learning.

Videos

"Yes, History Matters!" Gyasi Ross, Author, Educator and Lawyer (begin video at approx. 9:00)

TEDTalk: America’s Native Prisoners of War (15 min)

Articles/Websites

"Together We Can Lift Up the Sky: A Vision for the Urban Indian Community"

“Since Time Immemorial” : K-12 Curriculum developed by WA State OSPI Department of Native Education

What is the American Indian Movement? (AIM)

STEP 4: One Action I Can Take

Complete this sentence and commit to action: One action I can make to be more inclusive of Native American/American Indian students, staff and faculty is ______________________________________.