As we reflect on the spirit of gratitude this week, it’s important to remember that for many Indigenous communities, this time of year can be a painful reminder of historical and ongoing injustices. It is important that on this Native American Heritage Day that we remember the land we celebrate, the resources we take for granted, and the systems we live under have often been built at the expense of Indigenous peoples and their ancestral lands.
Climate justice and Indigenous justice are deeply intertwined. Indigenous communities have been stewards of the land for generations, preserving ecosystems and wisdom that could guide us toward a more sustainable future. Yet, these communities continue to face the effects of environmental degradation, displacement, and the erasure of their rights.
Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Day can serve as a time to acknowledge the legacy of colonization and the lasting impacts on Indigenous peoples. It’s also an opportunity to commit to supporting Indigenous-led movements for land sovereignty, cultural preservation, and climate resilience – here in the East Bay we support the Sogorea Te’ Land Trust.
CIPL’s headquarters are located in Oakland, California, the unceded ancestral home of the Chochenyo-speaking Ohlone people. They stewarded these East Bay lands and waters sustainably for nearly one thousand years before colonization. The Ohlone have never ceded, lost, nor forgotten their responsibilities as the caretakers of this place. You can find out about the land you live on here.
As we gather with family and friends, let’s remember that true gratitude must be rooted in justice — for the land, for the people who have cared for it, and for the future generations we hope to protect. On this day, and every day, let us honor Indigenous resilience and stand in solidarity for a more just and sustainable world!
Guest Post: COP29 Faith Pavilion – Many Faces, Many Voices by Amy Quirk