As we celebrate National Native American Heritage Month this November, we reflect with thankful hearts on the peaceful end to an intense election season and look forward to being with our loved ones over the holidays. We send our hearts out to all who continue to suffer and die in wars raging around the world in places like Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon and Sudan.
We honor the indigenous wisdom in the tradition of the Haudenosaunee people, whose daily practice of gratitude acknowledges their connection with all people, animals and things as fellow cohabitors on this planet, tied together in a web of life that supports and nourishes us all.
The deep appreciation and humanity expressed in this extract from the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address seems fitting for us now as we prepare to gather for the holidays and endeavor to live in harmony with one another.
The Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address
Greetings to the Natural World
The People
Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as people.
Now our minds are one.
The Earth Mother
We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our mother, we send greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash
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