Finish this sentence

Thanksgiving is the third (whoops fourth, thank you to the many readers who emailed me) Thursday in …

That’s right November.

Thanksgiving is a United States holiday that celebrates…

Yeah, I was kind of confused recalling something about Pilgrims, American Indians, being thankful.

For many Thanksgiving is just the coming together of family and friends to eat traditional family foods and to reflect on the past year.

For many it is a reminder of systematic extermination of an entire people, stolen lands, loss of culture, and of way of life. It is a reminder of generational trauma suffered by the indigenous peoples of North America. I recommend

An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States

By Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz. 2015.
“Four hundred years of Native American history from a bottom-up perspective.” From the publisher Beacon Press.

A selection of titles for

Native American Heritage Month

I am not a big believer in celebratory months because for me, every day is Black History day, every day is Women’s History Day, and every day is poetry day. But if it takes a month to get attention for great books, for great topics, to inform and learn in our community, let the celebrations begin.

The book for everyone

Thank U: Poems of Gratitude illustrated by Marlena Myles, edited by Miranda Paul.

From the author’s SCBWI Website

Miranda Paul is an award-winning author of more than a dozen fiction and nonfiction books for children. Thanku: Poems of Gratitude is her editorial debut, Thanku: Poems of Gratitude, features poems from 32 celebrated children’s writers. She is a co-founding member of the nonprofit organization We Need Diverse Books. Learn more at www.mirandapaul.com.

This richly illustrated collection connected thematically through gratitude demonstrating poetic forms by award-winning poets is the perfect gift for every home and classroom.

Marlena Myles expressive and dynamic illustrations welcome all to experience the music and joy of the verse. Her art is modern with references to traditional motifs.

To see more of Myles art go here

We need to five thanks

every dawn

fro the gifts of life,

fro each breath drawn.

For everything

that keeps us living,

we speak our words

of true thanksgiving

_from the poem “Giving Thanks”

by Joseph Bruchac

Just saw this on the Think Tank

Highly recommend this resource

First Nations Knowledge Center

and this

https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/lit-resources/read/diversity/native-am/teaching/native_resources/?fbclid=IwAR1YlsgVjQwzYWlDENETbLV-j8eFfoD7rOp-wnX2iZcg3dtU1DztgixFhGA