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Showing posts with the label Native Americans

Native American Heritage & Thanksgiving

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When most Americans think of November, the first thing that pops into their minds is Thanksgiving . This uniquely American holiday is a time for crazy travel misadventures , delicious food, and quality time with friends and family. But November is also Native American Heritage Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of Native people.  While Native American Heritage Month and Thanksgiving seem like distinct holidays, they are very intertwined. Thanksgiving is often framed as a joyful celebration of cooperation between Pilgrims and Native Americans, but history tells a more complicated and dark story. While there was a shared feast in 1621, the following years brought hardship, conflict, and colonization for Native peoples.  For many Native Americans, Thanksgiving is a day of mourning. It is a time to remember the lives lost and the customs and cultural norms forcibly removed by European settlement. Native American Heritage Month’s goal is...

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month: A Reflection on Thanksgiving

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  November holds a special significance in the United States as a month dedicated not only to expressing gratitude, but also to honoring and celebrating Native American Heritage. Designated as Native American Heritage Month , this period serves as an opportunity to delve into the rich history, diverse cultures, and enduring contributions of Native American peoples. In the spirit of recognizing and commemorating Native American Heritage Month , we want to shine a spotlight on Brian McKenna's impactful show, Chiefs .  Chiefs is a six-part series that intricately explores the lives of the great leaders, warriors, and diplomats of the First Nations, whose stories form a central drama of the North American continent. Combining documentary elements with dramatic reenactments, the series vividly brings to life the power, spirit, and mystery of the First Nations while also seeking to separate myth from reality.  This compelling documentary series goes beyond the surface, address...