Decolonizing Thanksgiving with Radical Joy
In the spirit of embracing radical joy and reclaiming the historical narrative of Thanksgiving, we invite you to rethink the meaning of Thanksgiving and honor Indigenous and Native peoples of America.
‘The Last Thanks’ by Wendy Red Star
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT:
Wendy Red Star
Acclaimed artist Wendy Red Star grew up on the Apsáalooke (Crow) reservation in Montana. Her work is humorous, surreal, and often abrasive, yet deeply rooted in a celebration for Crow life.
With ‘The Last Thanks’, Red Star proposes a different interpretation of Thanksgiving traditions. The processed foods littering the table communicate that in general, native populations do not have access to the same quality of food that mainstream groups might.
Her dinner companions are skeletons, gesturing toward the genocide of native people, and the pervasive myth that indigenous cultures are dead.
Red Star forces her viewer to grapple with difficult knowledge, challenging conventional stereotypes of native people that mainstream settler culture upholds and promotes.
Wendy Red Star holds a BFA from Montana State University, Bozeman, and an MFA in sculpture from University of California, Los Angeles. She lives and works in Portland, Oregon. www.wendyredstar.com
THE GBH TEAM GIVES THANKS
“I am thankful that I can be a part of a girl's life, helping her to find joy in making the world better. I am thankful whenever I see her smile, laugh and create, knowing I had a small part in making that happen.” - Kim Sykes, Artistic Director
"I am grateful for the space to create new rituals and traditions of my own here in NYC and build time in to challenge the lens in which we look at Thanksgiving.” - Marissa Ontiveros, Programs Manager
"I am always thankful for health and my family. This year, in particular, I'm thankful that I've accomplished a few of the goals on my vision board." - Nella Mupier, Program Director
"I can't take another moment for granted with the harrowing reminders of mortality around me. I'm thankful to God for the chance to keep making memories, mistakes and connections, and registering the beauty around me that I often don't pause long enough to fully appreciate." - Jan Phillips, Executive Assistant
#BROOKLYNGIVES
We've raised over $35,000 so far! Please help us reach our goal of fundraising $50,000 and donate via our BrooklynGives page by December 31, 2021.
8 WAYS TO DECOLONIZE THANKSGIVING
Read the rest of our tips on decolonizing Thanksgiving on our Instagram page!
5 GIRLS ON WHY THEY'RE PROUD TO BE NATIVE AMERICAN
RESOURCES FOR INDIGENOUS SOLIDARITY PROJECTS
Thanksgiving: A Native American View' is a letter which explains in simple terms the reality of Thanksgiving’s history, and calls for each person to bring about a better, more just holiday as they live their lives. This letter makes the issue personal, and is an excellent resource to understand the modern and past Native American experience.
Rethinking Thanksgiving Celebrations: Native Perspectives on Thanksgiving
Indigenous Roots builds, supports, and cultivates opportunities for Native, Black, Brown and Indigenous peoples through cultural arts and activism.
The Manna-hatta Fund serves the health, social service, and cultural needs of Native Americans residing in New York City.
Resource Guide for Indigenous Solidarity Funding Projects: Honor Taxes & Real Rent Projects
Sogorea Te’ Land Trust is an urban Indigenous women-led land trust based in the San Francisco Bay Area that facilitates the return of Indigenous land to Indigenous people.
