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Giving Thanks Today and Every Day!

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Condition. Discussion »

Thanksgiving Day is being celebrated throughout the United States today. It is a day set aside through a Presidential Proclamation to give thanks.

There are differing beliefs among American Indians and Alaska Natives on how to celebrate Thanksgiving Day.

Many American Indians completely reject the fabricated historical account that a group of Wampanoag Indians and pilgrims sat down in a cozy setting to celebrate together, which is the basis of the modern national tradition called Thanksgiving.

Indigenous peoples on the west coast in the San Francisco Bay area celebrate this day as "Un-Thanksgiving Day," also known as the "Indigenous Peoples Sunrise Ceremony", which is a time they take a ferry to Alcatraz Island for a sunrise prayer. They use the ceremony to remember their American Indian ancestors and sing thanks to the Creator.

Still many American Indians are very content with sitting down to have a big meal with their families and loved ones, watch football and scan the web and newspaper advertisements for deals.

Regardless, today and everyday are times to give thanks for all blessings and benefits we enjoy on Earth. Every day we should give thanks for family, friends and loved ones. Every day we should be thankful for life. Every day we should give thanks and pray for those who serve in the US military around the world.

Sadly, far too many Americans consider Thanksgiving Day simply as the kickoff of the Christmas season. The commercialization of both holidays seems to grow more intense with each passing year. Big box retail stores seek to attract buyers in earlier and earlier. People will not have to wait for the frenzy of Black Friday. Some retailers will open tonight at 8 pm to get an early start on the Christmas shopping season.

However you celebrate this day, celebrate your loved ones and be safe.