Thanksgiving as a Multiethnic Native American

Let’s rip the band aid off, shall we? Thanksgiving Day serves as a stark reminder of the painful history rooted in the genocide, land theft, and ongoing assault on Indigenous people and our culture. The holiday is a mixed bag for many, myself included. On one hand, I will be on the reservation observing the day as a National Day of Mourning, joining other Natives in solemn ceremony. Then, later that evening I’ll go home and “celebrate” the holiday with my family, some super Native and some not.

A prevailing trend since the inauguration of America’s first black president is our society’s struggle to confront its own reflection. We may acknowledge our ancestors’ colossal missteps (yes, “our” – I am a ¼ vanilla myself), yet we often fall short of taking collective action to right the historical wrongs. Sprinkle in the ability to flip the playbook (I mean, reparations for white folks?) and we gaslight marginalized groups like no other. Look, I get it. I *KNOW* you are not responsible for what your great, great, great, great grandfather did. But let’s keep it a buck – you probably (still) benefit from it. And no – your great, great, great, great “Cherokee Princess” Grandma does not mean you get a pass.

For many in our industry who are ethnically ambiguous or pass as white, embracing heritage can be complicated. Typically (key word there) the closer one is to western beauty norms, the higher the chances of appealing to a larger client base (re: more money). For someone like me though, there is no option of “passing”. I consider myself fortunate to openly embrace all my ethnicities including my Indigenous roots. Suffice to say, Josephine Baker would have loved me! I am grateful that I can crack jokes about “colonizers” and proudly express Native Pride without alienating my primarily white clientele, including around 21% of whom have identified themselves as Republicans (the remaining are by and large left leaning). I appreciate those clients who genuinely desire to learn more, engaging with me by asking questions and seeking understanding. And I am especially appreciative of the clients who tip or dote on me with gifts for the education. Because asking a Native to educate you on Native issues is a specific kind of emotional labor. But I digress.

Here’s the deal, I want you to relish the mashed potatoes and gravy, alright? While you’re at it, engage in debate about if dressing is or is not stuffing. Go on “walks” with your cousins. Laugh until your belly hurts with the most absurd family debates like what’s the “Crank Dat” vs the “Yung Joc”. Maybe cause some family drama with a political debate – it’s become tradition in my family. Don’t forget to document it all on TikTok – you know, for science. Enjoy Thursday Night Football or better yet, the Egg Bowl, as you doze off every 15 minutes, thanks to the tryptophan in your veins. I hope the kids can charm grandma into giving them a sip of whisky (ah, the good times), or maybe grandpa can slip them a twenty-dollar bill. But let’s not overlook the profound truth and history this day holds nor overlook how recent events may exacerbate these truths. Let’s respect the fact that the ground beneath you is drenched in the blood of Indigenous peoples. People torn from their homelands, whose children were forced into boarding schools, and whose young boys had to cut off their hair (believe it or not, it still occurs today, ex: this Southwest Airlines pilot). That our ancestors were coerced into changing their religion and silenced in their native tongue. Remember this. And in the same breath, know that you can celebrate and honor us too.

This Thanksgiving, I will mourn AND I will celebrate. I will celebrate the slow fight for our land back and the relentless effort to hold the United States accountable for their 350+ broken treaties. I will celebrate the Indigenous people who serve this country, upholding warrior culture the best way we know how. I will appreciate the commitment to teach our languages to children and descendants, preserving our heritage. Above all, I will celebrate the tenacity, resiliency, and beauty of my people.

So how can you also honor Indigenous people this Thanksgiving?