This month the BYM Working Group on Racism shares with you a portion of the “Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address: Greetings to the Natural World.” We encourage you to read the entire document here:https://americanindian.si.edu/environment/pdf/01_02_Thanksgiving_Address.pdf

This Thanksgiving Address includes a paragraph of greetings to each of 17 aspects of the natural world. Each one ends with the words “Now our minds are one.” The 17 are The People, The Earth Mother, The Water, The Fish, The Plants, The Food Plants, The Medicine Herbs, The Animals, The Trees, The Birds, The Four Winds, The Thunderers, The Sun, The Grandmother Moon, The Stars, The Enlightened Teachers, The Creator.

Following the 17 greetings are these words:

Closing Words

We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.

Now our minds are one.

This translation of the Mohawk version of the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address was developed, published in 1993, and provided, courtesy of: Six Nations Indian Museum and the Tracking Project. All rights reserved.

Thanksgiving Address: Greetings to the Natural World English version: John Stokes and Kanawahienton (David Benedict, Turtle Clan/Mohawk) Mohawk version: Rokwaho (Dan Thompson, Wolf Clan/Mohawk) Original inspiration: Tekaronianekon (Jake Swamp, Wolf Clan/Mohawk)

This column is prepared by the BYM Working Group on Racism (WGR) and sent to the designated liaison at each local Meeting. The BYM WGR meets most months on the first Saturday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, currently via Zoom. If you would like to attend, contact the clerk at david.etheridge@verizon.net.