My recent “Thanksgiving” post resulted in some very insightful comments and discussions, and I appreciate every one of them. As I scrolled through my Facebook feed this morning, I felt a renewed resolve to somehow be a part of a needed shift in how we honor this day. I do not wish to begrudge a holiday spent with loved ones sharing gratitude and food, but I continue to be troubled by how easy it has become for us to trade comfort for truth.

When I later looked through my Instagram feed, I was reminded of the impact this holiday has on indigenous communities. There was a universal call for not only acknowledgement, but also some type of action. Some organizations I follow suggested education by learning the history of the land where we reside and the indigenous communities that called it home before we did. As I did some of my own research on the land I know call home, along with the modern-day struggles and concerns of its indigenous inhabitants, I was reminded about how much I have yet to learn.

It was a good place to start. From here, I took into consideration another suggestion I had found on the posts I had read: to give back monetarily. Once again, I realized how much I have neglected my “home.” In the past, I have often looked beyond the state where I reside to place my donations, choosing more global causes and organizations to help offset my environmental footprint, and to help offset the effects of poverty and disaster.

Here in New Hampshire, there are several local groups and causes that seek to unite and educate. There are many ways to give back to indigenous communities and initiatives. It you are also looking for ways to give back to indigenous communities that resided upon the land before you did, please consider learning about who they were and choosing a group or cause to make a donation at this time of year (or any for that matter). It’s one way we can offset some of the harmful effects of our origin stories and ensure that we are working towards a more just and equitable future.