Mood Meter: How are you feeling today?

Discovered a tool, that helps you explore and learn the native history of the land and the languages once spoken on the land you currently occupy - including research backed citations. Worth exploring the history and pay homage. May we protect biodiversity. Just in time for Thanksgiving to make it even more meaningful - to study and honor the history and resiliency of native populations around the world. 

https://native-land.ca/

This Daily Show interview of Sean Sherman got me interested in Native American Cuisine and I know I am already a huge fan of 7 generations or long term thinking when it comes to sustainability. 

Lastly, I have been pondering how to help my students ground themselves in indigenous history and practices during circles for restorative practices, which led me to this prompt findings.

Source: https://g.co/gemini/share/8b36eec3c431

🦃 Grounding Prompt: Acknowledging Native American Heritage on Thanksgiving

Here is a prompt designed to help high school students pause, reflect, and acknowledge the Indigenous history and presence connected to Thanksgiving.

🌟 Setting the Stage

(To be read aloud by the facilitator before the circle begins)

"As we gather in this circle today, on the cusp of a day traditionally called Thanksgiving, we are choosing to begin with a moment of grounding and honest acknowledgment. Thanksgiving, for many, is a celebration of harvest and family. But for others, particularly the descendants of the original inhabitants of this land, it marks a deep, complex history of loss, displacement, and survival.

Our goal in this circle is not to abolish the holiday, but to hold space for the full truth of its origins and its ongoing impact. We aim to move beyond the simple storybooks and recognize the resilience and persistent presence of Native American nations today."

🎙️ The Grounding Prompt

(Facilitator should ask the students to close their eyes or look down as they ask the following questions, pausing for 10-15 seconds after each one for reflection.)

1. Acknowledge the Land:"Take a deep breath. Bring your attention to the ground beneath your feet. Acknowledge that you are standing on land that was—and in many ways, still is—the ancestral home of Indigenous peoples. What is the name of the Native nation or nations whose land you are currently occupying, and what does it feel like to hold that knowledge in this moment?" (Pause for reflection)
2. Challenge the Narrative:"Think about the Thanksgiving story you were taught as a young child. That story often focuses only on one day of sharing. Now, consider the events that followed for Indigenous peoples in the centuries after that initial encounter: warfare, treaties broken, and forced removal. What is one uncomfortable truth about this history that you feel needs to be acknowledged as you prepare for this holiday?" (Pause for reflection)
3. Recognize the Present:"Indigenous people are not a chapter in a history book. They are vibrant, diverse communities with distinct cultures, languages, and struggles today. As you go into the next few days, what is one action, no matter how small, you can commit to that moves beyond a simplistic 'thank you' and truly honors the ongoing sovereignty and contributions of Native Americans?" (Pause for reflection)
4. Returning to the Circle:"Take one last deep breath in, absorbing these thoughts. When you exhale, release any defensiveness, and simply commit to listening with an open heart. We are now grounded in a shared understanding of this complexity. You may now open your eyes, and we will begin our discussion."