We acknowledge that the Northshore School District occupies unceded coast Salish territories and acknowledge the many tribes that have and continue to live on this land since time immemorial.

As we continue to recognize Native American Heritage Month throughout November, and Native American Heritage Day on the fourth Friday of the month, it is important to honor Native and Indigenous heritage and approach upcoming holidays, such as Thanksgiving, in a culturally responsive way. If you would like additional resources or strategies, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Note: These tips, pointers, and culturally responsive strategies can be utilized this week, this month, and/or this year. They are merely ideas for you to weave into your discussions or already-existing lesson plans.

Resources for Celebrating and Recognizing Native Heritage Month:

• Interactive Native Land Map by Native Land Digital
• Indigenous heritage documentaries and video clips on PBS
• Native Heritage Month Resources by the Burke Museum
• Coast Salish People and Languages by the Burke Museum

Resources for Talking About Thanksgiving in a Humanizing and Culturally Responsive Way:  

• Rethinking Thanksgiving Celebrations: Native Perspectives on Thanksgiving – Native Knowledge 360°
• The 'First Thanksgiving': How Can We Tell a Better Story – National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) 
• What Do We Need to Know about Where the Story Takes Place? (Timeline)  – National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) 
• The "First Thanksgiving” | Cranberry Day: Traditional Harvest Festivals – Native Knowledge 360°
• Teaching Thanksgiving in a Socially Responsible Way – Learning for Justice

 
Culturally Responsive Classroom Strategies and Activity Ideas for Thanksgiving and Native Heritage Month:  

• Recognize the importance of teaching and learning about Native and Indigenous experiences and heritage in community-based and humanizing ways, with and from Native and Indigenous peoples
• Share about how the “first” Thanksgiving was a devastating time for Native and Indigenous peoples and be sensitive to Native and Indigenous students, families, and peers
• Teach about how many Native and Indigenous peoples spend Thanksgiving mourning and honoring their ancestors  
• Teach about how people may spend Thanksgiving giving thanks to their families, communities, and friends  
• Ask students if they engage with this day and how they spend their day  
• Engage students in activities  
• Read books, articles, show videos or documentaries to students about Thanksgiving and Native and Indigenous heritage by Native and Indigenous authors, directors, artists, and curators  
• Have students look through and discuss art galleries and resistance art by Native and Indigenous artists  
• Teach students about environmental justice, Native and Indigenous land protectors, and #LandBack 
• Teach about past and present Native and Indigenous activists, inventors, protectors, athletes, etc.  
• Teach about the #WeAreStillHere hashtag, have students track it on Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok, and facilitate a discussion about what content they found it attached to   

Additional Tips and Pointers on Teaching Around Thanksgiving and Humanizing Native and Indigenous Peoples in the Classroom:  

• Remember that beautiful and vibrant Native and Indigenous communities have been here since time immemorial 
• Understand what it means to acknowledge that the Northshore School District occupies unceded Coast Salish lands 
• Share about the ongoing project of colonization after the “first” Thanksgiving and beyond 
• Do not historicize Native and Indigenous peoples, but rather share stories, experiences, and knowledges through time – past, present, and future
• Do not have educators or students “dress up” as pilgrims or Native peoples – this is harmful and cultures are not costumes. Rather, honor Native and Indigenous culture and heritage by sharing and discussing images/videos/texts/artifacts. Please reference the above resource links.  

Click here to learn more about a series of virtual events happening this month with Eastside Native American Education Program.