33: How to Honor Native Americans Instead of Celebrating Thanksgiving

In this episode, I will share a variety of ways that my family and I are choosing to honor the Native Americans on the 4th Thursday in November, instead of celebrating Thanksgiving. 

I’ll first start with a reading of the “Native American Good Morning Message” by chief Jake Swamp, and then I’ll provide information on why honoring the Native Americans is vitally important, various Native American dishes that you can try with your own family, culturally appropriate Native American crafts, how to learn more about the culture with documentaries or movies, and recommendations for fantastic books to read. 

I truly hope you’ll take notes during this episode, so that you too can have a wondrous Native American Celebration. Also, if you have any ideas to share, I’d love to hear them, so be sure to email me at briannabrown@badassbookbesties.com

Sources:

• Do American Indians Celebrate Thanksgiving?
• The History of Thanksgiving from the Native American Perspective
• For Native peoples, Thanksgiving isn't a celebration. It's a National Day of Mourning
• Paper Mache Rattles Craft
• Native American Buffalo Hides Craft

Children's Book Recommendations:

• "We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga" by Traci Sorell
• "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie
• "The Birchbark House" by Louise Erdrich
• "When We Were Alone" by David A. Robertson
• "Jingle Dancer" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
• "Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story" by Kevin Noble Maillard
• My Heart Fills With Happiness by Monique Gray Smith

Adult Book Recommendations: 

• "The Round House" by Louise Erdrich
• "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" by Dee Brown
• "There There" by Tommy Orange
• "The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present" by David Treuer