forwarding from the Chinook Indian Nation:

"shiksh (Friend),

On this National Day of Mourning, the Chinook Indian Nation stands in solemn recognition of the complex history that today represents. While many celebrate Thanksgiving as a day of gratitude and community, for the Indigenous peoples of this country, it is also a time to reflect on the centuries of struggle, displacement, and erasure that followed the arrival of European settlers.

For the Chinook people, our history tells a story of resilience and hospitality. Our ancestors lived along the lower Columbia River for thousands of years, sustaining a rich culture rooted in the bounties of this land and the strength of our community. In 1805, when the Lewis and Clark Expedition reached the mouth of the Columbia River, it was the Chinook people who housed, fed, and supported them during the harsh winter. Our generosity and knowledge of the land were critical to their survival and success.

Today, we continue to work collaboratively with non-Indigenous community groups to care for our now shared land, including co-stewardship efforts with the Necanicum Watershed Council and the Columbia Land Trust.

As we mark this day, we ask that you join us in honoring the resilience of Native peoples across this land. We invite you to learn about our history and our present, to support Indigenous sovereignty, and to reflect on how we can all contribute to a more just and inclusive future.

Let this day be one of remembrance and action, as we work together to ensure the legacy of the Chinook Nation and all Indigenous peoples is recognized and celebrated — not only for our past, but for the thriving futures we deserve.

Thank you for standing with us.

hayu masi (many thanks),

Tony A. (naschio) Johnson"

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