As we reflect on the complexities and contradictions of Thanksgiving, we acknowledge the different ways this day is experienced. For some, it is a time to gather with friends and family over a shared meal. For others, it is a somber reminder of historical and ongoing injustices.
The widely accepted Thanksgiving narrative that centered on a harmonious feast between English settlers and the Wampanoag people in 1621 presents a one-sided, mythologized version of history that erases the profound suffering of Indigenous people for generations that followed.
For many Indigenous communities and individuals, Thanksgiving is observed as a day of mourning, symbolizing the genocide of Native people, the theft of their lands, and the relentless attacks on their cultures and sovereignty. The reality of this history includes betrayal, disease, enslavement, forced displacement and the sanctioned killing of Indigenous people across the continent. Recognizing these truths challenges us to critically reflect on the holiday and its complex legacy.
These same colonial forces and inequities have shaped the conservation movement from the very beginning. Land trusts and mainstream conservation organizations, like much of the environmental and climate action sector, have historically benefitted from the exclusion of People of Color, notably Indigenous communities, whose ancestral lands were often conserved without their leadership, input, or consent
Colonialism and entrenched power imbalances shaped land ownership and conservation from their earliest days. Decision-makers in conservation have overwhelmingly been white, non-Indigenous people. As a result, the rules governing land protection have frequently excluded the voices, rights, and deep ecological knowledge of Indigenous people, often erasing centuries of sustainable land stewardship. From the disruption of ceremonial burns to “green” energy projects that obstruct access to ancestral land.
This legacy continues to shape present-day conservation priorities. Today, Tribes and Indigenous communities still face systemic hurdles in securing resources, being recognized as decision-makers, and reclaiming lands that were taken from them. Federal policies under the current administration include rollbacks of Tribal self-governance, reductions in agency staffing, and diminished consultation on programs affecting Tribes. These impacts directly undermine Tribal sovereignty.
COLT is committed to uplifting voices that have been marginalized, supporting Indigenous sovereignty, leadership, and most importantly, Land Back. Through the Oregon Land Justice Project and the Indigenous Land Relationship Fund, we envision a future where Indigenous people are not just surviving, but thriving again. We recognize that land trusts still have much work to do. As a coalition, we are committed to supporting Indigenous people in overcoming barriers to accessing, stewarding, and owning land, so they can focus on revitalizing their cultures, communities, and ancestral connections.
This Thanksgiving, we invite you to join us in reflecting on the holiday’s legacy and your role in either upholding or dismantling systems of oppression. Gadugi—the Cherokee principle of working together for the good of the community—reminds us that your neighbor’s struggle is your own.
We’ve compiled ways to practice “gadugi” in this blog post if you’re unsure where to start.
Through reflection, reciprocity, and action, we honor those who have stewarded this land and work toward a future that is just, thriving, and shared.
