At its core, Global Education examines the interconnectedness of diverse groups around the world by exploring different histories, perspectives, and voices to introduce students to a plurality of experiences and viewpoints. Equipped with the ability to see people and events within an interconnected context, students develop skills to engage with peers from different backgrounds and work together toward meaningful solutions. Ultimately, Global Education is collaboration in action: it invites students — emerging global citizens — to work with others, not for others.  The Thanksgiving holiday provides an opportunity for students to practice these skills by exploring different perspectives within our own country and history. Last week in Global Ed class, Kimber began with an examination of the definitions and images associated with four terms: aboriginal, indigenous, First Nations, and Native American. She then led classes through a discussion of the words and images that students associated with American Thanksgiving. Each activity produced a set of terms and visuals that sometimes overlapped, but also contradicted each other.

Kimber then introduced students to indigenous voices within that zone of contradiction. After watching a CNN video that addresses injustices against Native Americans and moments in history when native voices have been silenced, students responded to a statement made by Aquinnah Wampanoag tribal elder Tall Oak: “It’s the one day out of the year when all of America bows their head and gives thanks for everything that was taken from us.” Students learned that it has been 50 years since a group of Native American activists established the National Day of Mourning.

Integrating new knowledge with personal experience, one student shared, “It makes sense to me that they would have a day of mourning. To me it’s always been about family, being thankful that we have each other. [Most people] aren’t thinking of Native Americans.” 

The exploration of Native American perspectives continued as students read pieces by activists, like the suppressed speech of Wamsutta (Frank B.) James, who, as Kimber explained, “had to retract his speech in 1970 because holiday planners told him everyone would walk out if he addressed his truth.” Students also read a piece by Jacqueline Keeler (pictured here), called “Thanksgiving: A Native American View” that explains why she chooses to celebrate Thanksgiving as a Native American woman, and in which she identifies a collective path forward, thereby showing students how one person converted controversy into positive action.

As students sought to understand new perspectives, Kimber encouraged them to use historical context to inform present-day opportunities “for us to give back, to work with people for a common good.” Kimber further explained that “our discussion of these speeches focused on how we continue to heal the nation through inclusiveness, openness, gratitude, and love.”