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Last week, when talking about a Thanksgiving message to send to our guests, Chef Cherif and I stumbled upon a larger thought. Cherif asked me, "I wonder what Native Americans think about Thanksgiving? We should reallly be thankful for them."
 
Not knowing the answer to his question, I immediately called our good friend and Choctaw artist, DG Smalling.
 
When posed with this question, he gave an unexpected answer.
 
"DG, how do you think Native Americans feel about Thanksgiving?" DG replied:
       
The pilgrims came, they had nothing; we fed them. 
We need to celebrate the initial gift that the Indians gave to the pilgrims.
Today, there is no ill will.

 
"But have you forgiven?" 
 
Absolutely. Forgiveness does not mean that we have forgotten the suffering, but we must also remember that those who immigrated to America also suffered.
 
When asked if he and his tribe celebrate Thanksgiving:
 
We celebrate the entire month of November with all of our families, all of our children, and all of our tribes.
 
Cherif and I both became very quiet as his conversation ended. We knew it was a moment of great pause; unexpected wisdom had just been shared. The gift of these words echoes through the centuries for all pilgrims. 

Please reply with your story of thanks.

- hedda & Cherif
"For all that has been, thanks. For all that will be, yes."- Dag Hammarskjold
Copyright © 2013 rise n°1, All rights reserved.



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