How You Can Help Support Indigenous Communities This Thanksgiving

As many Americans busy themselves with buying turkeys and baking pies for large family celebrations, indigenous peoples across the country mourn the dark history of Thanksgiving. Contrary to the sunny tale of friendship between the Pilgrims and Native Americans many of us learned as children, European exploration in the Americas ravaged indigenous communities. An estimated 55 million indigenous people died due to disease or violence caused by European settlers. Amid our celebrations this Thursday, it's important to remember those millions of people who suffered from colonization, and the struggles their descendants still face today. Here's how you can help:

Donate

• Massachusetts Center For Native American Awareness (MCNAA)

The MCNAA's mission is to preserve and educate the public about Massachusetts' indigenous population, to provide support to indigenous communities in Massachusetts, and to address racial inequities throughout the state. They have several important programs, including cultural arts and enrichment, social assistance, and a public education/social change program. They also have a scholarship fund to assist low-income indigenous families with education expenses. Donate here.

• Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA)

The AAIA is a grassroots organization working to promote racial equality for indigenous peoples through initiatives such as the Indian Child Welfare Act, the Safeguarding Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act, and the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act. The AAIA also provides scholarships to Native American students. Donate here.

• American Indian College Fund

The American Indian College Fund gives out millions of dollars in scholarships every year to indigenous students, who obtain high school and college degrees at a disproportionately low rate compared to white students. Donate here.

• Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund

Indigenous communities were some of those most hardly impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. This GoFundMe is the primary source of relief in the Navajo and Hopi communities as they grapple with the pandemic, providing food, water, PPE, cleaning supplies, and more.

Learn about Indigenous History

Learning about the history of indigenous peoples in our community is an important step towards accountability and equality for indigenous peoples. Today, indigenous communities continue to fight for sovereignty in their tribes, for equal opportunities for work and education, and for reparations after centuries of colonization and murder. Information on native tribes here in Massachusetts can be found at the North American Indian Center of Boston, the MCNAA, and the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs. Native Land Digital is an interesting resource to visualize where tribal territories and languages are located on a map. 

Support Native Owned Businesses 

As holiday shopping rolls around, think about buying from some native-owned businesses to support the indigenous economy.

• Indigo Arrows

This Manitoba-based business sells beautiful home decor that make perfect holiday gifts. Their pillows, blankets, and linens feature patterns inspired by the ancient clay pottery of the Anishinaabe tribe.

• Cheekbone Beauty

Cheekbone Beauty is an indigenous-owned, sustainable beauty brand that sells high-quality beauty products while giving back to the indigenous community. Cheekbone Beauty has donated more than $150,000 to various causes supporting indigenous communities to date.

• Eighth Generation

Eighth Generation, based in Seattle, sells a wide variety of beautiful, Native-made products that are perfect gift ideas. They are the first Native-owned company to sell wool blankets and carry various affordable socks, jewelry, mugs, pins, notebooks, and so much more.

• Shima of Navajoland

Shima of Navajoland sells handcrafted, Native-made soaps and wellness products using the ancient medicinal practices of the Navajo tribe.

Find even more Native-owned businesses here.

Works Cited

Alvord, Kyler, and Ophelie Garcia Lawler. “Here's How You Can Support the Indigenous American Community This Thanksgiving.” Thrillist, https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/how-to-support-indigenous-american-communities-this-thanksgiving. Accessed 22 November 2022.

Back, Carrie A. “10 Native American-Owned Businesses To Shop At.” Matador Network, 12 October 2020, https://matadornetwork.com/read/indigenous-owned-businesses-can-support-today/. Accessed 22 November 2022.

Chery, Samantha. “These Native Americans focus on family amid Thanksgiving's dark history.” The Washington Post, 19 November 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/11/19/thanksgiving-native-americans/. Accessed 22 November 2022.

“Native American and Indigenous Studies Association | Tribes in the New England/Northeast Region.” UMass Boston, 2012, https://www.umb.edu/naisa/tribes. Accessed 22 November 2022.

Popp, Anna. “41 Native-Owned Businesses to Support in 2021.” Insider, 24 November 2021, https://www.insider.com/guides/beauty/native-owned-businesses#clothing-jewelry-and-accessories-1. Accessed 22 November 2022.

“Pre-colonization populations of the Americas ~1492.” Statista, 1 January 1983, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1171896/pre-colonization-population-americas/. Accessed 22 November 2022