Posoh John,
Thanksgiving celebrations have changed dramatically from a day of eating to a month of celebrations during Native American Heritage Month.
As a child growing up on the Menominee Reservation, Thanksgiving meant a bustling, over-crowded house filled with brothers, sisters, and children. All while Mom, Edith Waukau, and my sisters worked in the kitchen on last-minute preparations of dishes that Mom had been working on for the past five days.
Dad, Hilary “Sparky” Waukau, would have a pipe ceremony and say a blessing before dinner. Then we ate in shifts: the men, followed by kids, then the women. Afterwards, the women cleaned while the men either watched or played football. Dad would ceremoniously put on Christmas music.
Now, many Indigenous people no longer celebrate the “traditional Thanksgiving” from the days of Christopher Columus. November has turned into a month-long celebration of our traditions and culture. In fact, most Indians say every day is a day to celebrate Native American Indians, our traditions, and people.
Mom and Dad are gone, but I am blessed to have an abundance of Indigenous celebrations to participate in and volunteer with throughout November.
For example, the Indian Council of the Elderly (ICE) in Milwaukee will hold a feast honoring the contributions of our elders, who remain active in our communities on Monday, Nov. 25.
“We come together to share food, gifts, and companionship,” said ICE Program Director Terri Piszczor. It is also a time to thank all those who, throughout the year, have supported, valued, respected, and assisted in making a difference in the lives of those we serve – our elders.”
