Thanksgiving Blessing

A Thanksgiving Blessing for Seattle, Washington

 

We give thanks for this land-

For the Pacific Ocean, whipped by the wind and pounding against the rocks of the coast

For the mountains and their snowcapped peaks rising into the sky

For the warm air brought in from the sea, which draws rain down from the clouds to the earth

 

We remember the ones who came before-

The people that have been here since the ice age

The People of the Inside who fished the rivers and knew the trees

The people who are Duwamish tribe, who host the city of Seattle and are still here today

 

We acknowledge our privilege-

That this land was taken from its rightful stewards

That we unconsciously benefit from that betrayal

That we have neglected to respect this land as was its right

 

We speak a blessing for the way ahead-

May our grief bring us into closer communion with the land and with each other

May our feasts bring us full flavor, laughter and love

May our renewed commitment to gratitude remind us of our duty to restore relationships

 

 

The blessing was written with the help of information from the Duwamish Tribe, thoughts from Kaitlin Curtice, and inspiration from Holy Spirit Lutheran Church  

 

The Duwamish Tribe does not have Federal recognition and struggles to provide social services to its 600 enrolled members. If you live in the traditional land of the Duwamish which is now Seattle, Burien, Tukwila, Renton, or Redmond please donate to the Duwamish Tribal Services or support them by shopping at smile.amazon.com and select Duwamish Tribal Services as your preferred charity.

 

Happy Thanksgiving