Happy Thanksgiving! You Live on Stolen Land!
Thanksgiving is a weird holiday. I was taught in school some BS story about how the indigenous people of America shared food with the colonizers because otherwise they (the colonizers) would starve I guess? Because they didn’t know about corn? But then I got to middle and high school where we learned that our elementary education was full of lies, and this country has always been a real nightmare, but also we get Columbus Day and Thanksgiving off. And then there’s ME, who has always associated Thanksgiving with wearing cozy sweaters and eating and watching TV with your family (who I actually like AND love so there’s not really any drama or stress). There is no history or patriotism or colonialism in my interpretation of Thanksgiving. BUT, I’m a white person in America, so I’m living a life built on colonialism and genocide every day. It doesn’t matter that I don’t have any Anglican, Mayflower-riding relatives in my family tree, I’m still benefiting from their actions.
Which is why I was thrilled to find out about the Real Rent movement. I live in Seattle, which is on Duwamish land (btw, if you aren’t indigenous and you live in America, that land is stolen. Yes, even where YOU live! Check out this map to see who’s land you’re on). The Duwamish Tribe doesn’t get federal funding, are not officially recognized by any level of government, and despite being promised access to resources and land ina treaty signed over 150 years ago, the terms of that treaty have NEVER been fulfilled.
The Real Rent Movement allows residents of Seattle to pay a monthly rent, in an amount of their choosing, to the Duwamish Tribe. All rent goes toward Duwamish Tribal Services, which provides resources and services for Duwamish Tribe members, as well as operating a free museum and a cultural center and event space. They even have this great guide for how to celebrate Thanksgiving while recognizing that the “story” of Thanksgiving is propaganda.
I decided to make my rent $10 per month, because I know I can always afford $10 a month toward my Real Rent. Someday I might be able to make that amount $20, or $30, but I wanted to choose a number that I could continually pay now. If I decided to just donate once a month with whatever I could afford, it would be easy to forget, or choose a number that was too high or low. $10 suits my life right now. They ask you on the website to give a short explanation of why you’re choosing to pay Real Rent - they only give you 150 characters, which was a real struggle for me, and I had to try about 40 times to be concise, but this is what I came up with:
I tried to find other areas that had an equivalent to this program, and I couldn’t find any. Check and see if there are any tribal services in your area and if there’s a way you can donate to them. If you let me know of any other programs like this, I’ll add them here. And if you don’t want to do research or can’t find a program to support, I guarantee you have an area food bank and they would love a donation (of money, not that weird can of green beans in the back of your pantry from 2003).
