So This Is "Thanksgiving"

Today is the day that most people in the u.s. celebrate what is called "Thanksgiving".  The wasicu (white man) history books tell one thing, while the Native American history tells us a much different story...one of betrayal & slaughter.

Putting all that aside, I happen to believe that "Thanksgiving" is not just one day out of the year, but that it is 365 days out of the year. 

Each & Every morning that I get up out of bed & can function in a "normal" manner is a day of Giving Thanks.  Every morning on my way to work, I offer up a pinch of tobacco and acknowledge the gifts Tunka Shila (Creator) has seen fit to graciously bestow upon my (sometimes sorry) self.

So even though today I am home alone...I have eaten well.  I made myself a hearty soup & have prepared food for the family feast I will attend tomorrow.

I count as my blessings:
All those who Love & Support me, as well as those who do not
My cats
My comfortable home
My health & continuing sanity
My Awesome (yet dry) sense of humor
My job.... Yes, I Do LOVE My Job (Thank-you Mark)
My ability to pay my debts in a timely and higher payment manner
My vehicle
My relationship w/ Tunka Shila
My intuition
My artistic ability
My creativity in the kitchen & out
The Cannunpa
The "Medicines" I carry & those which carry me
The food I eat & the Clean water I drink...
All those who made the sacrifice(s) so I may have food, drink, shelter & "medicine", ceremony & enough to share with others
"That man"....the gourd guy
So, for myself, it is like that...And the list goes on & on & on.....

Pilamiya.....Mi Takuye Oyacin

360: Thanksgiving: November 26, 2008

As many of you already know: speaking for myself, Everyday Is Thanksgiving!

Every morning I wake up and am able to get out of bed and go about my day and return safely back to my bed at night....well that's a lot to be thankful for.

So here is a partial list of what I have to be thankful for:
My family,
Aristophanes & Zeinab,
Grandpa Wallace , Grandpa Marcellus & the Grannies
my home,
the Canunpa & the Canka Luta Waste,
#213 Inn @ Avila Beach & Amanda @ Avalon
my friends; Pie, Donna, Dianna, Anet, Jr., Kehau, Evelia, Lu, Maggie & Sue,
all the people I've met online (yah even in T&A),
for life's lessons, my health,
them Wanbli & the other bird nation that watch out for me,
the Wakiyan,
Pejuta Waste,
my job,
gourds & the gourd man,
a good vehicle,
the give-away Unci Maka & all my non-two-legged relations provide me,
being able to make a positive difference in this lifetime,
being able to walk the "Give-away"

In essence...My Life!

Mi Takuye Oyacin

360: The Real Thanksgiving: October 26, 2007

THANKSGIVING: The year was 1637.....700 men, women and children of the Pequot Tribe, gathered for their "Annual Green Corn Dance" in the area that is now known as Groton, Conn.

While they were gathered in this place of meeting, they were surrounded and attacked by mercernaries of the English and Dutch. The Indians were ordered from the building and as they came forth, they were shot down. The rest were burned alive in the building.

The next day, the Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony declared : "A day of Thanksgiving, thanking God that they had eliminited over 700 men, women and children. For the next 100 years, every "Thanksgiving Day" ordained by a Governor or President was to honor that victory, thanking God that the battle had been won.

Source: Documents of Holland, 13 Volume Colonial Documentary History, letters and reports form colonial officials to their superiors and the King in England and the private papers of Sir William Johnson, Britsh Indian agent for the New York colony for 30 years. Researched by William B. Newell (Penobscot Tribe) Former Chairman of the University of Connecticut360: The Real Thanksgiving: October 26, 2007