Join Valentina and special guest Allison, in this weeks episode around Thanksgiving and what it may mean to different people. This episode starts a conversation to reflect upon the Indigenous history behind Thanksgiving, and ways you can start this conversation with your own friends and family.
Join Valentina and special guest Allison, in this weeks episode around Thanksgiving and what it may mean to different people. This episode starts a conversation to reflect upon the Indigenous history behind Thanksgiving, and ways you can start this conversation with your own friends and family.
Hello everyone and welcome back to the Get With The Grove podcast. My name is Valentina and in today's episode, I'm going to be sitting down with a colleague and chatting about Thanksgiving in the context of what it has meant for us or means to us and what it can mean for others and specifically people who identify with being indigenous. To preface this episode is meant to come from a place of learning, building self awareness, and most of all reflection. And with that being said, Before I begin today's episode, I would like to start off with a land acknowledgement. And for those who may not know a land acknowledgement recognizes that all of Canada resides on traditional unceded and treaty lands of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples. As I'm currently living in Guelph, I acknowledge the Mississaugas of the credit First Nation of the Anishinabek peoples on whose traditional territory I reside on and doing this podcast on. I would also like to add this conversation is not meant to discourage anyone from celebrating Thanksgiving, but again, maybe encouraging reflection considering Indigenous history. Now let's get into this episode, and we hope you stick around to listen. All right, so I am now sitting with Allison. Before we get into it, want to introduce yourself a little bit?
Allison:Yeah. Hey, everybody. My name is Allison, I am sitting here with Val at the Fergus Grove site. I am I'm a fourth year university student at the University of Guelph studying Child Youth and Family. I'm also in their Co Op, which is what brought me here to The Grove. Super interested in mental health advocacy, kind of intrigued by this whole podcast realm too, maybe this is a new inspiration. And yeah, just enjoying my last year of school and excited to see what the future holds for me. Awesome. Thanks for having me on today.
Valentina:Yeah, thank you for being here. Okay, so let's start with how do you feel kind of coming into this podcast knowing what we're going to chat about? How are you feeling?
Allison:Um, I'm just keeping a very open mind and just trying to something I've been really working on is my awareness lately, just really acknowledging my position as well. I'll just start off with just me being a settler here. In Canada in Guelph, I'm initially from Brantford. So, just really acknowledging that and just the the privilege I've had growing up, I am identify as white. So I am a white middle class person who has been blessed with a lot of fruitful opportunity. And just really acknowledging that I'm coming from my own lived experiences, you're coming from your own experiences, we're going to kind of share that today. And keeping an open mind to the other lived experiences of of individuals that we'll probably talk about today.
Valentina:Awesome. Okay, so let's get into it. What did Thanksgiving mean to you 10 years ago?
Allison:Um, I think Thanksgiving is super symbolic. That would be 10 year old me, I'm 20. Now I'll be 21 in November. So when I was 10, it was like, I feel like it was really hyped up in school. Like we talked about Thanksgiving leading up. We did a lot of different like arts and crafts, like I remember doing like the little like hand turkey. . So it was a it was a time where like our teachers and specific would really kind of raise that awareness. So like, what are you thankful for right now. And to me, it'd be like, I'm thankful for my mom, dad and brother, my two cats and things like that. And it kind of didn't, it didn't go much further. Like I think about it, like, I would be excited to eat all the food, which is so great, but there wasn't much more than just the food family. And like, what they talked about in school, so not a very deep answer, but that's just I mean, surface level for a 10 year old but yeah
Valentina:100%. For me, I was like around 13 At that time, so especially like I relate in terms of school like the week before Thanksgiving weekend, I kind of know is going to be a chill, pretty chill couple of days coloring some turkey pictures, and maybe maybe like a brief presentation on like the history of Thanksgiving. And I say that like in quotation. Yeah. But we'll get into that later.
Allison:Yeah, we didn't have any idea of like the actual history. So that was kind of interesting.
Valentina:Exactly. So that leads me to my next question, which is what kind of Thanksgiving means to now? Well for me like I just know it wasn't very it now just uncomfy feeling knowing what I know now in regards to the Indigenous history behind Thanksgiving, especially compared to my understanding, like 10 years ago, and that in itself is upsetting that I was being fed either false or like no information at all about the actual history. So it means also just recognizing being a settler being aware of the history, but also the reclaiming of Thanksgiving Day for some Indigenous peoples. But to start off with, like that historical historical aspect, Thanksgiving has roots. And it was originally an Indigenous ceremony long before the story most people are familiar with, in quotes first Thanksgiving, right where it was celebrated after British colonists arrived in Plymouth where they were unfamiliar with the land and starving and received help from members of an Indigenous nation. So what many people are not familiar with is what followed not too long after this kind gesture from the Indigenous nation. And any kind of relation quickly diminished when colonists brought infectious diseases with them and then spread and ravaged within Indigenous populations. And in addition to this colonists, allowing their animals into Indigenous lands and destroying their crops. So the way I kind of understand it is that the concept of Thanksgiving was not only really taken, but also their kindness and extending this practice with others, led to decades of disrespect, in return, and kind of in my own reflection, and reminds me of something, my mom would say, it's in Spanish. So the translation to English might not be as impactful. But it's kind of saying you lend someone a hand, but they grabbed you by your elbow, which if you don't understand it kind of just means taking advantage of the help someone gave you lend a hand and they just took everything with you.
Allison:Yeah, and that. Yeah, it's interesting, because it seems like it's a reoccurring trend with, well, just now that we're talking about Indigenous peoples. Just that seems what seems to be sorry, what we as, as settlers have, how we've treated them, like they have been the ones to provide, they settled here. So they were the ones to develop the web to kind of make it a fruitful and resourceful place to be. And I kind of I love that that analogy that your mother, or that you've kind of reflected on with your mom, just because it is true. Like we, they were offering that kind of helping hand and we totally just took that and more. And so kind of thinking like now like what it means, like, I think it's important that I said like when we were 10 and 13, it was so surface level like we, we had this, this idea of it that was just so skewed, because A) we are young, but B) it's not an excuse, because it just wasn't embedded in our in our education system. And I think now that I've kind of started this journey of reconciliation, I've really come to know, like Thanksgiving now is such an important time to reflect. And yes, it is a time to be grateful for for family and be grateful for what you have. But it's also a time to like take the initiative and take the responsibility of just reflecting on like what colonization has done to indigenous peoples. And I think the fact that they are reclaiming this as a day, whether it's a day like, I know that some Indigenous peoples take it as a day to celebrate their culture and celebrate their traditions. But it's also a day where they've done nothing, because it has just brought forth so much like intergenerational trauma to, to thinking about residential schools to thinking about just the way that colonialism has impacted them. And I'm just really, especially this year, like I just I really want to I mean, we're starting the conversation on this podcast, but really starting the conversation with my parents like asking the question, what does what does thankful or being like giving thanks me to you and what does like what does reconciliation mean to you
Valentina:Especially when considering like, if we didn't have that little education piece, like our parents even less
Allison:exactly and like, that's, that's just exactly why we need to like as not even just as young people but just as settlers who have the privilege like we I think we chatted about this yesterday just about how being in the in the Human Services and like in that field of, of education. We have been exposed to learning about Indigenous histories, but I think of people who are involved in business programs and in science programs, they don't have the privilege and the opportunity to learn about it. So it's just kind of bringing that to the forefront and reflecting on like, what does this mean to us and I mean, Val and I we are a part of a an Indigenous reconciliation Workshop, which is led by a phenomenal PhD student shout out. And it's just a really it's a it's a good time. And I mean, it's It's also fitting that we're filming this during the week for truth and reconciliation, because this is this is the perfect time to be sitting down and coming together with other other settlers and people who bring different lived experiences to talk about how we can how we could move forward.
Valentina:So, like you said, and just to continue off of what you said, is also considering how some Indigenous peoples are reclaiming this day. So taking Thanksgiving back and using the day or weekend to feast in honor of their culture honoring spirit, food and teachings. So given this, it kind of makes me think of what things we can do differently on Thanksgiving as people who are not Indigenous and have celebrated it. But you know what, in asking this, it kind of raises curiosity and people who may not even celebrate it, like specifically immigrants, migrants and refugees that moved to Canada, and may have just like, assimilated to the culture.
Allison:No, I totally, I think this is so fitting because it is true. And we've we've we've talked to our other colleagues about this just there are now that we've diversified Canada, and it's still diversifying itself. And we do have so many immigrants, and we do have a lot of refugees and migrants, especially just with the conflict that's going on in the world. And it's like, yes, like, there's, it's, it's great for, for individuals who celebrate Thanksgiving, it's, it's been a tradition that we've had, and myself included as a as a settler here. And as a Canadian, like, it's been a great, great holiday. But at the same time that doesn't go to say like those who move to Canada who have different, who observe different holidays and observe different like religious practices and whatnot, that doesn't mean that they have to conform and assimilate to this and, and that can put a lot of pressure on on them. And again, I'm not I'm not speaking for them, because I can't even begin to understand like how, how different it would be to move from across the world to Canada. But it's, it's also just, it's kind of thinking of that like, how, how can they go about this day and how, like, we think about ourselves in school, like there was so much build up to Thanksgiving. And it's like, we need to, for me, I think it also is rooted in the education system is bringing to the forefront again, like there are different religious practices, and there are different celebrations that are tied to so many different cultures. And I can't, I can't speak on them, because I feel like my education still needs to be broadened. And that's something that I want to work towards. But it's just thinking about, like, how can we incorporate this into the curriculum so that we can kind of have a more diversified and like equitable beyond Canada
Valentina:beyond drawing in a turkey?
Allison:Yeah, exactly. Like beyond those arts and crafts, that's super fun. But are we really like, are we really representing the the individuals that are in Canada?
Valentina:So back to just this group of people who may not celebrate in the first place, or may have assimilated to this culture? Like, how should they even like, just in your words, in your opinion, like, how should they even go about this day? If they don't celebrate? Or like, should they even go about this day?
Allison:Yeah, I mean, again, like, I can't speak for them, and I can't begin to understand like, their lived experiences, but I think just Canada being the free place that it is, or what it should be, is a very free and, like, individualistic place is like, just do you, I guess. And it's like, if if families like there shouldn't be any pressure, especially from like, the, like, Canadian side of things, like there shouldn't be a pressure for a teacher to, like, impose that on to other students. Hence why I said like, we shouldn't be like, yes, we can acknowledge Thanksgiving. You mentioned that beginning of the podcast, but should it be shoved down people's throats? No, yeah, because it's the same thing. Like when on the topic, I know, we're not gonna get into this, but like Christmas, like, we don't call it we don't say like Christmas time anymore. We say like the winter holidays or winter break, because there's so many different observations and celebrations during that time. And again, it all circles back to like, we need to be educating. And it there shouldn't be a pressure to go about the day in, like, celebration of Thanksgiving or not it just Yeah, I mean, it that's kind of It's a tricky thing to answer because I can't like I can't directly relate. Yeah.
Valentina:But um, back to like, as people who have celebrated it, and will maybe celebrate it. What are some things that you may do differently or have done differently on Thanksgiving knowing that history and being aware of also just some Indigenous people who are reclaiming this day.
Allison:Yeah, I think it all comes down. And this is like me speaking for me, but I guess, I hope it inspires others. But it just, it comes down to that that whole notion of like awareness, gratitude, reflection, those are three words that like, I've really been, really been like thinking of and reflecting on is just sitting down. Like, if you have the opportunity and the privilege to see your family not, not everybody can. But if you're able to, like instead of or not, instead of, but maybe devoting time, like at the dinner table to talking about, like, even just that question of like, what does reconciliation mean to you? And like, have you ever stopped to think about or have you ever learned about this? And just taking that time to, like, look around and say, like, why are we here? Why? Why is all this food on the table? Why? Why are we able to live, where we're living in it all? Like, again, it roots back to the Indigenous peoples who, who started the life and the culture here. And again, just like taking time to I guess it's just educating at all, it all comes down to educating but I again, I can't speak for everybody, but I know for me over the Thanksgiving weekend, I'm really going to take time to wind down and be be aware of like, my, my surroundings and yeah, and what I'm thankful for, relative to Indigenous peoples.
Valentina:Yeah, sure. I like that a lot. I think for me this year, I think it's just like, like you said, like, it's just being intentional and not only being thankful for obviously having your family having a home having the opportunity for education work, and just so much more. But being aware that these things exist, like why do these things exist? Yeah, these things exist because like, of Indigenous peoples, like there's all these things exist on their land. And like, most importantly, like sharing this with the people I celebrate with, so not just kind of like, obviously reflecting it upon myself at the dinner table, but sharing it at the dinner table with my family
Allison:Like opening it up
Valentina:Exactly
Allison:I liked that you use the word and intentional because that's another huge word. And it's a very, it's a very sensitive topic. When thinking about Canada is just like, we're not always intentional with like with what we do. And a lot of times it can be performative. But when you set an intention, and you like you said, even just like a small group, it doesn't have to be in front of like, a broad scope of people just like your family intimately talking together in a safe space where it's like, this is uncomfortable, but it's something that like we need to face. Like, in the forefront.
Valentina:Yeah. And I feel like sometimes you just like part of this is being uncomfortable. Part of it is so like, I think, for me at least and maybe this can, like maybe work for others, too, is kind of starting off with like a land acknowledgement before dinner like that can I think that can do a lot and if it's just if it's a place for you to start. Like, I think a lot of acknowledgement before eating dinner could be a really, really good place to start.
Allison:Yeah, no, I totally I love that. And even just like, I know, you explained it at the beginning, but like what a land acknowledgement means like not, we hear it in schools, and we hear it at the university and it's like, okay, thing, like, I'm glad that this is happening, but like, are we really reflecting on like, what yes means like, are we really giving things are we really acknowledging like where we like reside? And do we really want to build and mend those relationships kind of thing. So I think that's really awesome.
Valentina:Well, that wraps up our little discussion. Again, I really hope this was like reflective for you Allison, it was definitely a reflective coming from a reflective place for me. And hopefully this engages others and kind of makes others think about it. But yeah, thank you so much for sitting down with me.
Allison:It will, thank you for having me and yeah, I just I really want to like end off and I mean, I'm grateful to be here and grateful to have the opportunity to be on here and I just want to reiterate like I am coming from a place of of not knowing and that's what I want to like I hope to inspire to other settlers listening to the podcast because with reconciliation it's it's never ending like there's no there's no end date. There's no like check the box type mentality and so being on this journey, like we need to kind of unite and beyond the journey together and devote time to to learn and like you said, reflect and just sitting here with you today Val, like I feel like I feel inspired to do to kind of like promote this to other people, because it's been such a, like, it's a very peaceful and calming time where you can just not be so caught up in the hustle and bustle and you can just be like, okay, like, let's give thanks, let's reflect let's, let's move forward with a motivation and an intent to, to reconcile and to build relationships. And yeah, I just I hope that this with at least one of you listening out there, I hope it inspires you to, to think about this year, maybe even on Thanksgiving or, like any day, I mean, reconciliation is not just on the occasions, but that it inspires you in some way.
Valentina:Thank you so much, Alison. And thank you to our listeners if you made it through this episode. We're really hoping this podcast just elicited some thought and reflection the way it did for us.
Allison:Thanks, everybody. Take care.
Valentina:All right, everyone. So this concludes today's episode. I want to thank Allison again, and just emphasize having conversations like this are really important towards Indigenous reconciliation. Hopefully this encourages others, especially settlers to also have these conversations to also learn and, and really want to reflect. I also wanted to add before I sign off that there are really great episodes coming up in the next few months. There's going to be new hosts that I'm excited for everyone to meet, more guests and really great topics. So stay tuned and have a great rest of your day, afternoon or night. Bye everyone.