Thanksgiving
I am an Indian and I am Swedish but foremost I am a Christian. When I think of Thanksgiving historically through the life of our country and my personal life I don't see thankfulness. I see glutenous and the desire for more. Not a thankfulness for what one has.
In 1621, the Indians in attendance of the first thanksgiving were the Wampanoag. They had lived in this – some say for a thousand years. What many don't know is they played the lead role in thankfulness. The Colonists were cold, hungry and did not know how to plant and grow vegetables and grains in this new land. The Wampanoag saw that they were starving and brought food for them to share with the colonists. They taught them how to grow, how to hunt, how to fish, how to make things from bark, grains and fur. When the colonists had learned what they needed they killed, cheated and tried to control the Wampanoag.
The Wampanoag had their own government, their own religious beliefs, their own knowledge system, and their own culture. They were also a people for whom giving thanks was a part of daily life. The colonists wanted them to be puritan Christians.
Like the Pharisees of the Bible, the Colonists (pilgrims) wanted ritualistic patterns for living, not what I personally see as a need for an individual relationship with my Lord. So, in my estimation, the Wampanoag did not see the light of the Lord shining through these people.
A majority of those who came to American on the Mayflower came to make a profit from the products of the land, the rest were religious non-conformists who fled their own country to escape religious intolerance. Again, none were prepared for life in a new country.
The Wampanoag new this and although they were dieing from new disease the colonist brought over, they still came to help and to share.
Indians are like that. Celebrations also include giveaways. People spend hours making, preparing and readying for a giveaway. I personally have spent hours preparing my giveaway items. Giving – doesn't make you feel good, feel thankful that you can do so?
Indians are agricultural and lovers of our earth. They have always lived connected to the environment and praising what the earth bestows to them.
So, I please let me share with you that November is American Indian Heritage Month. The Thanksgiving feast of turkey, cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes would not exist if not for the knowledge and resourcefulness and giftedness of the Native American people. The irony is that most Indians now, can not afford a twenty pound turkey.
As a Christian and an Indian, a daughter of my father and a grandchild of my grandfather, I live praising my God and honoring 'Indian ways”.
This thanksgiving, think of what you are thankful for. Think of your blessings. Don't be glutenous for wants be thankful that you have what you have.
Psalm 118
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Count your blessings, whether great or small. Count your blessings and be thankful for them all! WG
I am an Indian and I am Swedish but foremost I am a Christian. When I think of Thanksgiving historically through the life of our country and my personal life I don't see thankfulness. I see glutenous and the desire for more. Not a thankfulness for what one has.
In 1621, the Indians in attendance of the first thanksgiving were the Wampanoag. They had lived in this – some say for a thousand years. What many don't know is they played the lead role in thankfulness. The Colonists were cold, hungry and did not know how to plant and grow vegetables and grains in this new land. The Wampanoag saw that they were starving and brought food for them to share with the colonists. They taught them how to grow, how to hunt, how to fish, how to make things from bark, grains and fur. When the colonists had learned what they needed they killed, cheated and tried to control the Wampanoag.
The Wampanoag had their own government, their own religious beliefs, their own knowledge system, and their own culture. They were also a people for whom giving thanks was a part of daily life. The colonists wanted them to be puritan Christians.
Like the Pharisees of the Bible, the Colonists (pilgrims) wanted ritualistic patterns for living, not what I personally see as a need for an individual relationship with my Lord. So, in my estimation, the Wampanoag did not see the light of the Lord shining through these people.
A majority of those who came to American on the Mayflower came to make a profit from the products of the land, the rest were religious non-conformists who fled their own country to escape religious intolerance. Again, none were prepared for life in a new country.
The Wampanoag new this and although they were dieing from new disease the colonist brought over, they still came to help and to share.
Indians are like that. Celebrations also include giveaways. People spend hours making, preparing and readying for a giveaway. I personally have spent hours preparing my giveaway items. Giving – doesn't make you feel good, feel thankful that you can do so?
Indians are agricultural and lovers of our earth. They have always lived connected to the environment and praising what the earth bestows to them.
So, I please let me share with you that November is American Indian Heritage Month. The Thanksgiving feast of turkey, cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes would not exist if not for the knowledge and resourcefulness and giftedness of the Native American people. The irony is that most Indians now, can not afford a twenty pound turkey.
As a Christian and an Indian, a daughter of my father and a grandchild of my grandfather, I live praising my God and honoring 'Indian ways”.
This thanksgiving, think of what you are thankful for. Think of your blessings. Don't be glutenous for wants be thankful that you have what you have.
Psalm 118
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Count your blessings, whether great or small. Count your blessings and be thankful for them all! WG
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