Thanksgiving carries many layers for me—traditions I grew up with, the weight of history, and my own evolving beliefs. It’s a season that invites me to reflect not just on gratitude but on the stories that shape who I am and how I move through the world, a messy and beautiful journey.
My father’s Indigenous lineage and the connection to my ancestors is a part of my story that I’ve begun to explore and unpack over the last few years. Growing up, it was a quiet thread in our family, simply acknowledged, not explored or embraced. This disconnection often felt like a silent weight, a sadness about something lost or unknown behind a veil. And as I’ve grown older, I’ve found myself drawn to Indigenous teachings and the wisdom they carry—teachings that honor interconnectedness, respect for the earth, and the sacred rhythms of life.
These teachings have opened my heart, not just to my father’s roots, to my own evolving spirituality. They’ve invited me to release rigidity in my beliefs and embrace curiosity instead of certainty. I no longer feel the need for everything to be firmly defined or rejected; instead, I’m learning to find truth in fluidity, in the shifting seasons of my own heart and mind.
It’s also vital to acknowledge that Thanksgiving is a deeply painful and complex holiday for many Indigenous people. The stories so often talked about this day misrepresent and overshadow the reality of colonization, persecution, and the ongoing struggles of Indigenous communities. This history carries immense weight, and it is our responsibility to approach this day with respect, humility, and a willingness to listen and learn. Honoring the truth of their experiences—and the resilience of their cultures—requires us to go beyond surface-level gratitude and reflect on how we can actively support justice, understanding, and respect for all peoples that walk this Earth Mother.
This journey hasn’t been without its challenges. I was raised in a traditional Christian home, and while there is so much I respect about my upbringing and the values my parents instilled in me, it also brought layers of healing and work I needed to do. Reconciling the faith, I was raised with and the truths I’ve come to know has been a tender and sometimes painful process. It is also a reminder of the beauty and importance of finding unity in diversity. My parents and I hold very different beliefs, and while this has brought its challenges, it has also opened the door to profound moments of mutual respect and joy.
We may approach the world from different perspectives, and there is sacredness in the memories we’ve shared—laughing over Thanksgiving dinner, decorating the Christmas tree together, or simply sitting side by side in gratitude for the love that binds us. These moments remind me that the essence of connection isn’t about agreeing on everything, it is about creating space for one another to exist fully as we are. This holiday can be an opportunity to bridge divides, to approach one another with empathy, and to celebrate not just what unites us, but the richness of our differences. For me, it’s not about discarding what I’ve known, it gets to be about expanding it—allowing room for both the traditions of my family and the of the teachings that have awakened and resonated in my heart.
As I allowed myself the opportunity to get curious, I was drawn to teachings that felt ancient, yet deeply personal: the wisdom of the wheel of the year and the medicine wheel. These traditions, while distinct, have opened my heart to a way of living that honors the cycles of life, the seasons of the earth, and the sacred balance we’re meant to carry within ourselves and with others.
The wheel of the year, rooted in traditions from my Mother’s linage, resonates with me in its celebration of life’s seasons. From the rebirth of light during Yule to the fertile energy of spring, the fullness of summer, and the quiet release of autumn, these seasonal celebrations remind me of the interconnectedness of all things. Teaching me to honor the turning of time, to embrace what each season offers, and to live in alignment with nature’s rhythms.
Similarly, the medicine wheel in Indigenous teachings has offered me a framework for understanding life as a journey. Walking the Good Red Road, as it’s often called, emphasizes living with love and respect for all, balancing the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of life. This path invites us to honor where we’ve been, where we’re going, and the interconnectedness of all beings.
Reconciling these different traditions, while balancing respect for the values my parents instilled in me hasn’t always been easy. I have been devoted to navigating the complexities of finding my own truth. This journey has been one of asking questions, healing wounds, and embracing both the roots of my ancestors and the branches of my own evolving beliefs.
How do I honor the traditions I grew up with while standing firm in my truth? How do I celebrate life in a way that feels authentic to me while holding respect for my family’s path?
I’ve learned that the answer lies in balance. I can light a candle for Yule and celebrate the returning sun while also gathering with my family for Christmas dinner. I can honor the sacredness of the seasons and the lessons of the Good Red Road while still feeling gratitude for the traditions that connect me to my parents and grandparents.
This Thanksgiving, I’m reflecting on how these traditions—both old and new—can coexist in love and respect. The gratitude I have for life in all its seasons. The gift of the opportunity to walk a path of balance and interconnectedness. My family’s traditions remind me of the deep love and care that have shaped who I am.
This season, I invite you to reflect on your own journey:
- What traditions anchor you, and what new ones have you embraced?
- How can you honor the roots of your ancestors while growing into your own truth?
- How can we walk a path of love and respect for all, even in our differences?
Let’s hold space for gratitude, reflection, and connection—not just to our families but to the land we stand on and the lessons life offers us in every season. May we find ways to weave together the wisdom of the past, the authenticity of the present, and the hope of the future.
As I reflect today, traveling to support my sister’s recovery, I feel a deep gratitude for the journey I’ve walked, the teachings I’ve embraced, and the traditions I continue to honor. May we all find balance, connection, love and acceptance. There is profound power in simply holding space for someone who is different from us—without judgment, without needing to fix or change, and instead witnessing their journey with an open heart. In these moments of stillness and presence, we begin to see the beauty in our shared humanity. Even amidst our differences, there are threads of similarity that bind us: the longing for connection, the need to be seen, and the desire to belong. When we embrace these commonalities, we create a foundation for deeper respect and a more inclusive future, where everyone feels valued and heard.
Trust the invitations of your heart this season, follow the gentle nudges to discover the beauty of interconnectedness. As I finish typing this blog, I am reflecting on a example of this trust, a conversation I just had with Sara, an elder, a wise one, a seasoned and wonderful human sitting next to me on this plane, a true gift from the Divine. I could have kept my headphones in, boundaries up and closed off, for those that know me you understand how this is my “safe” place. Yet something inside me guided me to compliment her beautiful crystal necklace, I trusted the gentle nudge and we wove the most magical, aligned, and expansive conversation. We come from different backgrounds, experiences, yet we are not separate and the gifts she was able to give me will reach long into the future! I am sure I will have more to say about Sara soon, and yet for now I will leave you with this invitation, to take a deep breath this season and trust what a vision of a world where understanding and compassion guide our connections.
With love and gratitude,
Sadie 🌿
Chamomile & the Sage
