Native American History Month Homework
On the minds of those at Tejal Yoga: November is National American Indian Heritage Month and Thanksgiving Day originated from the celebration of the massacre of the Pequot people in 1636. Because we recognize this information may be a surprise to some, we’re continuing to educate and embody mindfulness and justice this week in support of Indigenous Peoples. Which means we’ve decided to address the white colonial settler elephant in the room.
In this Tejal Yoga Newsletter you’ll find personal stories, resources, and inquiry prompts for your “home” work in the next few days with friends and family. Continue reading for more from Tejal and tips from special contributor Cheyenne.
All this learning reminds me of the past three weeks I spent in Piscataway Conoy land aka Washington DC. Being with my nieces (5yo and 7yo) reminded me that some of the most basic information that children are being taught today was explicitly removed from my curriculum growing up.
Saanvi, the 7 yr old, had a particularly relevant homework assignment. She and her classmates were assigned Native Tribes to research and study. She was asked to write 3 facts about the Arapaho tribe. She wrote that the Arapaho were from Colorado, lived in the Rocky Mountains, and that they were forced to resettle to Oklahoma.
I decided to do this homework for myself and came up with 3 additional facts:
The Arapaho, originally engaged in agriculture with permanent housing, moved under pressure from neighboring tribes westward and separated into Northern and Southern Arapaho 1830.
After several chiefs sought peace talks with white colonial settlers, an entire village along the Sandy Creek in Colorado were massacred in 1864, even after waving white flags and stars and stripes flags. The majority of those killed were women, children, and elders.
Every year on this upcoming Thursday, protesters gather at the top of Cole’s Hill, which overlooks Plymouth Rock, to commemorate a “National Day of Mourning.” Similar events are held in other parts of the country.
One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned from working with children and teaching them mindfulness practices is this: the adults in the room NEED mindfulness practices too. And the same principle applies with education too. Especially with education that is rooted in justice. After three weeks in DC, I guess you can say I’ve become as smart and mindful as a 7 year old. That makes me an even more proud masi (maternal aunt). :)
Next Steps:
Choose Tejal’s home work this week and send in via email, just click reply.
Share our instagram post “White Colonial Settler Elephant” and include your thoughts in the caption. Find the post here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CH-ZJsDDRJT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Learn about the native land you’re on, the struggles of the native people and their subsequent forced resettlement, and how you can help repair relationships, trust, and resources for affected communities.
For example, Tejal has connected with the nearby AIFHS (American Indian Family Health Services) which hosts events for the Native community and their neighbors to promote healthy living and cultural education. Tejal is donating 10% of her TY earnings this month to the organization.
In Gratitude:
We thank our colleague Cheyenne Leskanic for her tips and general aid in this week’s News. Cheyenne always offers amazing information about Native culture and heritage, substance abuse and recovery, and yoga and lifestyle on Instagram. Her recent newsletter has an extensive list of Native small business owners to support. Access this list here.
Other reference guides:
https://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgiving
https://forthewild.world/listen/corrina-gould-on-settler-responsibility-and-reciprocity-208
https://www.aihfs.org/newsevents.html
As always, thank you for being in community with us-- community rooted in yoga + social justice. We can’t wait to read your responses!
Warmly,
Tejal
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