By Pr. Rhoda Klein Miller
Often overshadowed by the American version, is the story of Indigenous people in Canada such as the Mi’kmaq who aided European settlers by sharing their knowledge and resources. This relationship was foundational for the settlers’ survival. What a painful betrayal would play out as their generosity and good will was exploited. The very ones they saved would advance to uproot and replace the first nations.
Our modern observances of Thanksgiving can obscure the darker legacies of colonialism and Indigenous suffering. Perhaps a more ancient holiday can help us approach our celebrations with greater sensitivity. Where Thanksgiving emphasizes gratitude for material blessings, Yom Kippur draws attention to spiritual cleansing and the moral responsibility humans carry in their relationships with each other and with God.
Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, is a deeply spiritual time focused on repentance and reconciliation with God and fellow humans. It’s a solemn period for introspection, seeking forgiveness, and starting anew. In Jewish thought, true atonement isn’t just about personal forgiveness, but also about making peace with those around us, seeking to repair the harms caused by our actions.
Let’s ensure our Thanksgiving includes recognizing the privileges and blessings we’ve gained built on acts of injustice and abuse. As we count our blessings let’s also take stock of whether we’ve given as much as we gained. The historical reality of Indigenous peoples aiding European settlers in Canada offers a powerful reminder of the need for repairing damage done, transforming Thanksgiving into an occasion to seek deeper unity.
This is why Oakridge Adventist Church acknowledges it is the unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations we have the privilege to gather and worship on.
The New Testament scripture also links taking stock of God’s blessings with reconciliation when Paul writes “ALL THIS is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” 2 Corinthians 5:18
Our Thanksgiving stories cannot stop at the help recieved but must also recall the sad truth of gains made at a ghastly cost to others. This is a time to renew our commitment for generosity, justice, and healing.