I have a confession to makea dirty little secret that I can no longer keep a secret.
Im Indigenous and Ive always celebratedThanksgiving.There, I said it!
This year, however, Im finally choosing not to be thankful, too.
Photo: Getty Images / Collage by David Vo
Growing up on Nipissing First Nationmy traditional territory in northern Ontario, Canadamy family always celebrated Thanksgiving.
One year, my dad even cooked a 40-pound turkey for the entire family, a record.
Moose meat pies were also omnipresent, though I never partook in that dish.
(Im a Native who doesnt enjoy wild meata sin!).
It became a pattern, something we just did.
It was mostly always about the food, because whodoesntwant to induce a Tryptophan coma?
I still drool at the thought.
This year, however, I am approaching the holiday differently.
I have also realized that I actively dontwantto celebrate Thanksgiving.
Ive spent far too long being passive about things that I dont feel right about.
How do Iconnect more with my heritageon a daily basis?
How can I better supportIndigenous brandsor artists?
Celebrating Thanksgiving simply doesnt fit into this new outlook.
No amount of savory gravy can distract me from that now.
Its less of a Thanksgiving, more of a Friendsgiving.
And thats something I am truly thankful for.
