Third Annual First Nation Thanksgiving

As a history teacher, I believe that history matters. Thanksgiving is a complicated event in the history of the United States. The first Thanksgiving that offered hope and an example of what could be, gave way to war, genocide, and the destruction of culture all across North America.

That trend continues to this day, especially in light of the effort in North Dakota and other states to disenfranchise Native people.

We should, on Thanksgiving Day, acknowledge this history. For this purpose, we will offer a mix of music on Thanksgiving that features hundreds of First Nation artists and musicians. Many of these artists have been honored at the Native American Music Awards. It is our way to acknowledge that Thanksgiving is complicated and we should recognize those who were here before European exploration and the devastating results of conquest.  Many in the First Nation community do not see this as a day of Thanksgiving, so we offer the music as a means to reflect on this fact and to be part of this consciousness.

Plus, First Nation music is worth listening to.  So, tune in starting at 12pm on Thursday, November 22, 2018.