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One response to colonialism is to embrace indigenous practices of community, acceptance, and gratitude with reverence in our modern life. This Meetup is precisely that: an 11-minute audio-only responsive ritual. You're invited to listen or participate as you wish.

NB: Since charging admission would be anathema to members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, all who wish to attend this Meetup will have their membership fees waived.

Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of the book Braiding Sweetgrass was repeatedly told by Haudenosaunee (pronounced: who-DIN-oh-show-nee; also known as the Iroquois) people that the words of the Thanksgiving Address are their gift to the world, and are meant to be shared. This address is also known as The Words That Come Before All Else, as it is traditionally spoken to greet the day, start a meeting, or before starting negotiations with other nations.

The Onondaga ("Hill Place") people are one of the original five constituent nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy in northeast North America. When Kimmerer asked the Onondaga Faithkeeper Oren Lyons about sharing the Thanksgiving Address in her book, he said, "Of course you should write about it. It's supposed to be shared, otherwise how can it work? We've been waiting for five hundred years for people to listen. If they'd understood the Thanksgiving
then, we wouldn't be in this mess."

So as we read it together, feel the gratitude in your heart for all of the life around us that gives us so much and allows us to live.

You may download a copy of the Words at this link.

Upcoming events (4+)

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  • The Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address - The Words that Come Before All Else
    Link visible for attendees
    • Photo of Bill Protzmann
  • The Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address - The Words that Come Before All Else
    Link visible for attendees
    • Photo of Bill Protzmann
  • The Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address - The Words that Come Before All Else
    Link visible for attendees
    • Photo of Bill Protzmann
  • The Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address - The Words that Come Before All Else
    Link visible for attendees
    • Photo of Bill Protzmann