Thanks to the indigenous
Today is a confluence of holidays affecting The American continents. It’s Canadian Thanksgiving, as well as, indigenous peoples or Columbus day. Both days recognize the contributions of European occupation in The Americas. It’s a day of both pride and shame. Having both holidays on the same day is highly appropriate. For years, the United states celebrated Columbus day. But, since the 1970’s, awareness of the plight of indigenous peoples spread. Columbus is credited with discovering the Americas. And, numerous others followed in his wake. While fortuitous for Europeans, it wasn’t quite the same blessing for the people who discovered the land millennia before. Thanks to the indigenous peoples, the occupiers survived a harsh environment. But, they thanked “god” instead.
All this because of a mistake. Columbus and some of his contemporaries recognized a truth that should have been evident: the world is round. Instead of sailing over the edge, they believed you could get to India and Asia traveling west instead of navigating around the horn of Africa, and, trying to negotiate with people of varying religious backgrounds for passage and trading. Having a dearth of maps as to what lay to the west, when they found land, they assumed it was India, hence, the moniker “Indians” bestowed upon the indigenous people encountered. Ironically, that name stuck for centuries. To this day, some people still refer to indigenous people as “Indians”. How long does it take to shake a lie?
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We owe a lot of thanks to the indigenous people
In the USA, we celebrate Columbus day. But, he never set foot on North American Soil. What he discovered were the islands of the Caribbean and eventually landed in parts of south America. It’s doubtful he even knew that North America was there. The vikings, according to legend, discovered the North American territories. Of course, after Columbus stumbled onto unknown lands, every country in Europe had to get on the bandwagon. Dutch, British, Spanish, French and Portuguese governments and businesses saw great opportunity in occupying the new lands. For most, it was an economic venture. For some, like the “pilgrims” it was a sojourn for freedom.
When all these people began laying claim to land that was already occupied, they found little to no resistance from the natives, who didn’t put a lot of value on possessions. They recognized the human role in the world as stewards and co-occupants in the natural world. So, when the Europeans came, they did what they knew best: share. If not for their help, many of the Europeans wouldn’t have survived in these untamed lands. Of the 102 passengers of the Mayflower, only 52 survived the first year. Without the help of the indigenous people, who knows if any of them would have made it. Columbus had an easier time, because, he was on Tropical islands. But, his empirical disregard for human sovereignty led to the exploitation and decimation of countless indigenous peoples over the coming years, despite their warm welcome.
Who were the real owners of the land?
These days, we hear a lot about “illegal immigrants”. There are complaints of unwanted people entering the country without authorization. Isn’t that how we got here in the first place? Columbus and his successors brought their ships and European ideas to lands unknown to them. When they encountered the Natives, they disregarded their humanity, and took everything they had, and claimed sovereignty in the name of various European governments. While there were numerous tribes throughout all the lands (a lot more than all the European countries combined), without European standards for property division, it appeared no one “owned” the land.
But, just because you don’t have a proper deed, doesn’t mean it’s not your home. If a family or group worked the land for a period of time, it was theirs. They had sacred grounds, farming lands, hunter/gatherer regions, and more. That wasn’t good enough for the Europeans, who considered the territories up for grabs. Some “traded” for land, like the dutch buying Manhattan for 60 gilders. They had to know they were scamming these people. Yet, the term “Indian giver” is derogatory. How about Dutch settler as a better disparaging term for an unscrupulous business person?
That which wasn’t bought, was forcibly taken in some of the most unthinkable atrocities in human history. Manifest destiny, my A–. Greed and inhumanity led to the decimation of entire civilizations.
What were they thinking?
People of the “civilized” world are obsessed with fighting. In the 20th century, alone, we had hundreds of large scale conflicts between people. Over millennia, there are countless wars. Everybody seems to want what the other guy has. Most are fought over land or ideology, primarily, religious ideals. It’s all part of the grand design? Up yours. it’s greed. And, the people who “developed” the Americas did so in the name of “Christianity”. But, what they did is anathema to the concepts of Judeo -Christian ethos. The ten commandments spell it out pretty clearly: Thou shalt not kill or covet. Not thou shalt not, unless, you really want something… That’s what coveting is. Dumb asses.
While there were and are a lot of people who believe that they are or were doing “god’s work”, the people funding the expansion weren’t true believers. They used propaganda and the language of the masses to convince them that the taking of land and destruction of civilizations was/is just in the eyes of the lord. Religion and politics are a bad mix, no matter what your denomination. A no cost offer of eternal bliss carries quite a draw for people with little on this plane of existence. So, when prominent people, politicians, and Clergy claim God is on our side, people internalize that and take a suggestion as a crusade. And, we know how the crusades turned out.
At least Canada got it right
Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving today. The origin of their Thanksgiving is a lot different than the USA version. In the US, it was a bunch of settlers laying claim to Indigenous land, but, being welcomed by the indigenous people. In Canada, the celebration was merely a celebration of survival on an exploration. Martin Frobisher brought ships to Nunavut in search of the Northwest passage. Upon landing safely in Newfoundland, after losing some members of the party and sustaining damage to some of their ships, the chaplain prayed and gave thanks for their survival. The Meal they shared was boiled beef, mushy peas, and biscuits. This celebration is a testament to the character of future Canadians. It’s not about pride. It’s thanks for sheer survival.
Canadians, in general, don’t take things for granted. Having food, shelter, and companionship is enough. While Americans celebrate with overfull tables, eating to excess, and football(?), Canadian Thanksgiving is more understated. America has the Macy’s parade and other televised spectacles. In Canada, it’s more locally driven. In fact, some of the parades are actually part of Oktoberfest celebrations. Perhaps, part of the reason it’s understated is the “hero”, Frobisher, was actually a bit of a scoundrel and profiteer. While the intent was to find the Northwest passage, he brought back lots of ore for profit, that turned out to be pretty worthless after all.
This celebration was not thanks to the indigenous, but just a recognition of being thankful for what you’ve got.
Thanks to the indigenous people, we are here to celebrate
Columbus gets a lot of credit for Colonizing the Americas. But, that’s due in large part to the Naivety and generous nature of the indigenous people he encountered. Imagine if the tribes of all the American areas were more like the European settlers Columbus led to these lands. Columbus commented that the natives knew nothing of the ways of war and welcomed them with open arms. The thanks returned to the indigenous people? Death, disease, enslavement, rape, and the eventual dissolution of entire nations.
People who claim that recognition of these atrocities is a rewriting of history. In a way it is. But, it’s a history that needs to be rewritten, since the people who wrote the history we know were the invaders and aggressors. The end result is a global kleptocracy. We can accept the spoils of winning the war. But, we need to recognize the moral depravity and horror of how we got here.
We can learn from history not to make the same mistakes again (if only we would). When people try to use the language of the simple people to turn them against others and their neighbors, we should recognize this for what it is. Fearmongering and claims to certain entitlements, like “we’re the rightful owners of this land,; you’re not welcome here”. The world has plenty of bounty to sustain people. Let’s not squander it on an over consuming minority.
Be more Canadian and give thanks to the indigenous
So, we know that Canadians celebrate survival on this day. And, Americans Celebrate colonialism. Both countries, as well as our central and South American neighbors all owe thanks to the indigenous people who welcomed us and paid the ultimate price for looking for the best in people. We call people Indian givers if they go back on their word. But, it’s the Europeans who are the ones covered in shame. We can never apologize enough for what people did to actual nice people.
Now, the current administration of the USA is trying to extort Canadians. Canadians! These are some of the nicest people you can meet. They tend to be kind, welcoming, giving, and courteous. Why would you attack them? Because you think kindness is weakness? These are the people who learn the wrong lessons from history. They think the colonizers and expansionists weren’t cruel enough. They believe in rule by extortion. How about better living through community and mutual respect. You can disagree, but, accept the equality of all.
The object for these people is to win. But, winning creates losers. The only real win is when all are treated with equality and respect. Sounds pretty Canadian to me. So, happy Thanksgiving, eh; and thank the indigenous people. While you’re at it, be more Canadian, and share a heartfelt SORRY!
Some treats to be thankful for:
A nicer variation on boiled beef for Frobisher’s thanks:
Thyme scented Beef Stew with Candied Turnips and Brussel Sprouts
Ingredients
- 2 Lb Cubed beef (Use a bottom round or shoulder cut, not a high quality cut like sirloin)
- 1/2 cup AP flour
- 1/4 Lb Unsalted Butter
- 1 Cup red wine
- 1/2 cup Sweet Onion in 1 inch squares
- 1 Tbsp Chopped Fresh garlic
- 1/4 Cup Chopped Fresh Thyme
- 2 Tbsp Chopped Fresh Sage
- 1 cup Potatoes, peeled and cut in 1 inch cubes
- 1 cup Sweet Potatoes, peeled and cut in 1 inch cubes
- 1/2 Cup brussel sprouts, ends snipped and cut in 1/2
- 1/2 Cup Carrots Cubed
- 1/2 cup Celery Cubed
- 2 Quarts Beef or veal stock
- For Candied Turnips:
- 1 Lb Turnips, Peeled and cut into 1 inch Cubes
- 1/2 stick Unsalted Butter
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/2 Cup Orange Juice
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season the flour with salt and pepper. Toss the beef cubes in the flour and coat evenly.
- Melt the butter in a heavy pot or dutch oven over high heat. When fully melted add the beef. Cook evenly let the floured sides brown.
- Add the onion and garlic and stir. Cook until translucent, stir frequently to prevent the flour and butter form burning. If there is any leftover flour add it in and stir. This creates a roux that will thicken the sauce. Add in the celery and carrots. Stir and cook another minute or two.
- Deglaze the Pan with red wine. Stir to mix. The flour and butter mixture will thicken the wine as it reduces. Cook off the alcohol for a minute or two. Then add in the Stock and herbs. Turn down the heat and allow to simmer for about an hour. At this point, test the meat to see if it is tender yet. It should still be relatively firm, but, yield to a fork.
- Add in the Potatoes and sweet potatoes. Stir them in. Add more liquid if necessary. Bring the mix back to a simmer. Allow to cook until the potatoes become tender.
- Candy the turnips. Melt butter over high heat and stir in the sugar. Bring this mix to a boil to create a caramel. Add in the turnips. Brown them evenly over medium heat, stirring as necessary to prevent burning. Add in the orange juice and bring to a boil. Stir occasionally and cook for a couple minutes until the turnips begin to soften. Add in the brussel Sprouts and season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
- When the stew is cooked, the sauce is relatively thick, the meat and vegetables are tender, season with salt and pepper. Then fold in the turnips and brussels. Serve with a hearty breads or popovers.
Europeans didn’t have potatoes before coming to the Americas, so:
Vegan Ginger mashed Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 Lb Sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 to 2 inch pieces
- 1/4 Cup Coconut Milk
- 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil
- 2 Tbsp Chopped Fresh Ginger
- 2 Tbsp Agave Syrup
- 1 tsp Tamari Soy sauce
- 1 pinch Ground white pepper
- Kosher or sea salt for cooking
Instructions
- Peel and cut the sweet potatoes. Place in a pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Cook until soft enough to mash. Drain very well. Get out as much liquid as possible.
- Melt the coconut oil in a pan over medium high heat. Add in the ginger and cook until lightly caramelized. Add in the agave and coconut milk and cook until slightly thickened.
- Mash the potatoes until smooth. add in the coconut milk mixture, soy sauce, and pepper. Mix well. Serve hot.
Bounty introduced to colonizers by the indigenous:
Herbed Corn fritters with Cranberry Maple Chutney
Ingredients
- 2 cups corn meal
- 1 cup Buttermilk
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp Baking soda
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 2 each Large eggs
- 1/4 cup Assorted chopped fresh herbs
- 1/4 cup Chopped fresh Scallion
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- For chutney:
- 1/4 Cup Diced Fresh Sweet Onion
- 1 cup Fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 1/2 cup maple Syrup
- 1 each Cinnamon Stick
- 1 cup Apple, cranberry, or orange juice
- Oil for cooking and frying.
Instructions
- In a heavy pot, heat a coating of neutral oil over medium high heat. Saute onions until translucent. Add in the cranberries and cinnamon, and stir. Add The sugar and melt that down. Then add the juice and Syrup. Bring to a boil, then taper to a simmer. Allow to cook until the cranberries break down. Taste it. Add more sugar if needed. Set aside to cool.
- Mix The Corn meal, flour, baking soda, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, Whisk the eggs. Then add in the Buttermilk, herbs, scallions, and seasoning.
- Fold the dry ingredients into the wet until the form a smooth batter.
- Heat oil in a heavy pot or fryer to about 350 degrees. Scoop the Fritter mix and gently drop in the oil. Cook until golden brown. If They aren't cooking all the way through, turn down the heat a little bit and/or use a smaller scoop.
- Remove fritters from the oil with a basket or slotted spoon. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot with cranberry chutney