By Chief Don Stevens, Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk – Abenaki Nation
As the holiday season approaches, it gives us time to reflect on how we celebrate the Holidays. Whether you celebrate Columbus or Indigenous Peoples Day is a personal choice. Some gather together to celebrate the original inhabitants of this land, Columbus, or simply take the day off to rest.
As traditional people, our tribe focuses on being in positive relationship with community and everything within our stewardship.
We must all take the time to honor our ancestors but also remind people of the dangers that we face as a people. We have seen the breakdown of civility and respect in our society. When social and personal opinions become fact and people are allowed to spread hate freely instead of unity and respect; we all suffer as a nation and society. We have seen human needs outweigh the land and animals needs, upseting the balance in the great mystery of life.
Mother Earth is adjusting for the bad deeds of human actions. The stewardship of our planet and the fabric of our nation is being tested. Hurricanes, floods, tornados and other catastrophic events are becoming more frequent. We need to take heed in our mother’s warnings, we cannot ignore the message and continue the same path — expecting different results.
We are all Alnobak (human beings) and citizens of the United States. As a society, even when we differ in opinions, we must stop the degradation of different races or social classes of people. Instead of allowing negative messaging like immigrants are all “terrorists and rapists,” VT Abenaki are “fake,” or Haitians are “eating your pets,” we need to respect and celebrate our different lived experiences. We need to preserve the principles that our veterans continue to serve, fight for, and even have died to protect.
If you truly want to find a way to celebrate this holiday season, reflect on the personal path you are on. Decide if the path is uplitiing those around you or contributing to the social unrest.
Honor our veterans by not allowing foreign entities to interfere with our politics or American citizens’ lives. Honor our environment by reconnecting to the land and water that sustains our lives. Honor the animals by making sure that their needs are considered in everything we do. Honor each other and those around you by uplifting one another. Honor your culture no mater what it is, don’t let others define you, celebrate your lived experiences, honor your ancestors, and love your children. They are the future of our family and the next generation of stewards for our environment.
I hope you have time to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage that our Mother has provided for us. I hope you enjoy your family and friends this holiday season. I wish health and well-being in your journeys. May you celebrate all the blessings in your life and those to come.
