5 Ways To Support Indigenous People On Thanksgiving

Decolonization refers to the process of undoing colonialism and its effects. In the US, people from Europe colonized land that had already been inhabited by indigenous peoples, forcing them to integrate into American culture.

"When I hear the word decolonization, I think about what makes colonization successful. This is the obliteration and invisibility of a certain people that existed in history and play a really significant role but are often overlooked," said Valerie Segrest , A member of the Muckleshoot tribe and a local nutritionist, says KIRO Radio. "Promoting the visibility of [native] traditions as well as culture and history is the work of decolonization."

A decolonized meal will look different for everyone, says Nephi Craig, cook and member of the White Mountain Apache, in an interview with Vice last year. The best thing to do is to learn what foods are native to the region in which you specifically live. You can also prioritize sourcing your Thanksgiving table locally and shop as much as you can from indigenous food companies and local farmers.

One dish that Craig recommended to honor the Aborigines is the "three sisters," which are made from equal parts corn, beans, and rice. "This is the gateway to decolonizing your diet, and it will add Native American history to any Thanksgiving spread," he said.

Or take part in a demo for the reclamation festival: Chef Crystal Wahpepah, ethnobotanist Linda Black Elk and the founders of Sovereign EarthWorks, David Rico and Reignbeaux Cuahuitl, are holding a celebration of the on November 23, 2020 in collaboration with the Museum of Food and Drink indigenous food and food justice.