A Thanksgiving Blessing for the Yellow House

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

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We ask for renewed relationships

With the family and community sitting at this table today

With this land, which was Stewarded by the Duwamish people, and is now in our care

With the diversity of people who make up our world like grasses in a field

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We remember our privilege-

That this land was taken from the Duwamish people, who host the city of Seattle and are still here today

That we unconsciously benefit from that betrayal

That we must work to restore relationship with those around us

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We speak a blessing for the way ahead-

May the plants in our feasts bring us full flavor, laughter, and love

May thankfulness overflow in a bounty, like apples falling from a tree

May news ways take root and thrive and grow

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Happy Thanksgiving

You can use the Native Land website to find who’s land you are on this holiday season.

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 by signing up for Real Rent Duwamish or support them by shopping at smile.amazon.com and select Duwamish Tribal Services as your preferred charity.

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Acknowledgements: The blessing is an updated version of the one I wrote in 2019 and was written with the help of information from the Duwamish Tribe, thoughts from Kaitlin Curtice, inspiration from Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, a lyric from Spell Songs, and the formatting of The Lord’s Prayer.