Post-Thanksgiving Reflections: Honoring Native Perspectives and Deepening Our Commitment to Equity

By Setche Kwamu-Nana

I hope you all had a restful and meaningful Thanksgiving weekend — whether you spent it with loved ones, enjoyed quiet time with yourself, or engaged in activities that bring you joy. One of my favorite memes from the holiday (image below) made me laugh, but it also reminded me of something deeper: how easy it is to make significant mistakes or miss meaningful opportunities when we fail to consider diverse perspectives.

Now that Thanksgiving has passed, many of us are settling back into our routines still carrying the warmth of gratitude — for family, community, rest, stability, and the everyday joys we’re fortunate to experience. Yet this season offers another invitation: to reflect critically and compassionately on how we understand the origins of Thanksgiving, and whose voices, histories, and truths have long been left out of that narrative.

In this moment of post-holiday reflection, I encourage all of us to consider Thanksgiving through the lens of Native peoples and Indigenous communities. Expanding our positionality — and acknowledging the positionality of others — is more than an intellectual exercise. It’s a meaningful practice that deepens personal growth and strengthens our collective commitment to building a more equitable and just future.

Why Perspective Still Matters — Even After the Holiday

When we widen our lens, we challenge assumptions, deepen empathy, and make space for truths that have historically been minimized or silenced. This kind of perspective-taking is essential if we want to move beyond symbolic gestures toward genuine transformation.

Here are a few powerful short videos that reframe Thanksgiving through a more honest and inclusive lens: The Harsh Truth About Thanksgiving | NowThis

Representation matters — but representation alone does not equal transformation. Increasing visibility without changing systems only broadens the pool of elites without necessarily improving conditions for the communities most impacted. Systemic change — in policy, culture, and practice — remains essential.

Still, milestones deserve recognition. The U.S. recently marked an important moment in Indigenous representation when six Native Americans were elected to Congress.

Resources to Continue Learning and Expanding Perspective

In the spirit of Native American Heritage Month and Indigenous Peoples Day on November 25, here are curated, thoughtful resources to deepen your understanding and spark meaningful conversations for adults and young people alike:

• 11 Ways to Decolonize Your Thanksgiving and Honor Native Peoples

• Do American Indians Celebrate Thanksgiving?

• PBS NewsHour Interview with Tommy Orange: Award-winning author of There There shares insights on identity, storytelling, and representation (6-minute watch).

• Teen Vogue: Native American Teens Reflect on What Thanksgiving Means to Them

• Understanding the National Day of Mourning (Nov. 27)

• BBC Documentary Podcast: Missing and Murdered: America’s Forgotten Native American Girls (A powerful 28-minute listen)

  
  

Moving Forward With Intention

As we transition out of the holiday weekend and back into our daily rhythms, I hope you’re able to carry forward the rest, gratitude, connection, and reflection you cultivated. And I hope you’ll continue this journey of learning — seeking truth, uplifting stories that have long been overshadowed, and contributing to systems that prioritize justice over symbolism.

May we strive not only for representation, but for transformation — the kind that reshapes systems, deepens inclusivity, and honors every community’s truth.

Wishing you a grounded, reflective start to the week ahead.