The fall is a season of change and transformation. We transition from summer, bringing in the harvest season, the weather is changing, and holiday breaks happen during this time of year. However, truth telling happens all year round.

As many families prepare to celebrate “Thanksgiving” this month, it’s important to recognize the truth of this holiday and what exactly is being celebrated. Unbeknownst to most, Thanksgiving celebrations fail to recognize the history of the holiday and the Indigenous genocide and displacement that took place. In place of Thanksgiving, we can choose to celebrate Truthsgiving instead and celebrate Indigenous resistance. November is Native American Heritage Month. Learn about and honor the Native peoples whose lands you are on and continue to support Native-led organizations and movements.

If you don’t know what lands you are on, you can look it up here: https://native-land.ca/

Native American history is American history, but many U.S. schools don’t teach accurate Native American history like what is mentioned in this video: https://youtu.be/K7jLeBWMA0U

It’s important to slow down, have the conversations needed to grow stronger collectively, and reflect on the meaning of our actions.

Just as nature begins to slow down and animals prepare for hibernation, I invite you to take this time to slow down. Take time to learn and unlearn, to grow in relation to the lands just as you grow in relation with your family, friends and communities.

A great reminder during harvest season is: the day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit. What have you planted that is finally coming to fruition and what are you planting now to continue to work on and nurture for the days, weeks, and months to come?

Anything worth building requires patience, commitment and consistency.

Building trust, building relationships, building new systems that will bring reconciliation, healing and power to those who are harmed the most by colonization.

EIC stands with the truth-tellers and truth-seekers not just this month, but all year long.