For many, Thanksgiving is a holiday spent sharing time with loved ones and giving thanks for all we have.
This holiday allows us to bring history to life and acknowledge that Thanksgiving isn't a celebration for everyone. In particular, some Native Americans honor this day as a National Day of Mourning, and others celebrate by gathering with families and friends.
Carmen Watson-Charles, PASD's Native American Liaison shares, "As a Native American Indigenous Indian, my family looks forward to gathering and cooking our favorite dishes in celebration of each other. Traditionally, Tribal Nations gathered around this time of year to feast, celebrate the end-of-year harvest, and welcome the winter season."
We honor that not all students, staff, and families celebrate Thanksgiving and recognize the importance of teaching and learning about Indigenous experiences and heritage. However your family honors or celebrates this day, we invite you to take some time to learn more about the tribes local to the area where you live. For Port Angeles, we are on the traditional lands of the Coast Salish people, specifically the Klallam tribes. We thank these caretakers of this land, who have lived and continue to live here since Time Immemorial.
We are grateful for our school community, government-to-government partnership with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, and our district's bright future for all students.
