There’s a march in Plymouth, MA on Thursday at Noon SHARP.
Businesses and families across the United States prepare for Thanksgiving with stories of turkey, football, and a peaceful meal. However, for Indigenous people, and for me personally, the fourth Thursday in November holds a very different meaning.
The Spirit Behind “Machi”
Why Machi Marketing Solutions?
If you have ever wondered about my business name, “Machi” refers to the traditional healers and shamans of the Mapuche people of South America. Adopted as a baby by a white family, I grew up without my culture or stories, but that identity lives in my heart as I actively learn and reclaim it.
My heritage guided my business colors and logo design, which was inspired by traditional Mapuche woven textiles. It serves as a constant reminder of my people’s struggles.
Running a business is hard, but surviving genocide and colonization is harder. When I look at my branding, I remember that my people are still fighting, which instills in me the determination to push through hard times and support Indigenous people fighting for their rights today.
The Prophecy of the Eagle and the Condor
Reconnecting North and South
An ancient prophecy shared across Indigenous peoples predicts a time when the Eagle (representing the peoples of North America) and the Condor (representing the peoples of South America) will fly together again, bringing the world back into balance.
My ancestors are from Wallmapu (Mapuche territory), and the people gathering in Plymouth are from Turtle Island (North America). Our stories are hauntingly similar—both facing language erasure, land theft, and colonization.
Colonizers drew the borders that separate us, but the struggle for dignity is shared. By standing with the National Day of Mourning, I am doing my small part to help the Condor fly with the Eagle.
Family, Food, and The Truth
For my family, Thanksgiving was never about the Pilgrims, the Mayflower, or false narratives of peaceful coexistence. It was about reunion, laughter, and sharing food with the people who raised me.
“I can deeply love the time spent with my family and cherish the safety of that gathering. Simultaneously, I can reject the national holiday labeled ‘Thanksgiving.’ I do not recognize the holiday. I recognize the family. And I recognize the truth.”
What is the National Day of Mourning?
Since 1970, Indigenous people and their allies have gathered at Cole’s Hill in Plymouth, Massachusetts, not to celebrate, but to mourn.
The tradition began when Aquinnah Wampanoag leader Wamsutta Frank James refused to deliver a censored speech at a state banquet. He chose to speak the truth about the Pilgrim arrival, sparking an annual day to remember the genocide of millions of Native people, the theft of Native lands, and the relentless assault on Native culture.
Join Me in Observation
You do not have to be Indigenous to recognize the National Day of Mourning. Here are three ways to participate and observe:
1. Watch the Livestream
Tune in to the speakers and rally live starting at 12:00 PM ET on the fourth Thursday of November.
Watch Livestream →2. Donate & Support
Support the United American Indians of New England (UAINE) to fund ongoing advocacy and education.
Donate Here →3. Reflect & Acknowledge
Take time during gatherings to acknowledge the true history of this continent and the land you occupy.
Find Your Land →Places to Learn More & Support
- North American Indian Center of Boston
- Tomaquag Museum
- United American Indians of New England
- Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe
- Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah)
- Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
- Chappaquiddick Wampanoag Tribe
- Aquinnah Cultural Center
- Mashpee Wampanoag Museum
- SmokeSygnals (Wampanoag Media)
- Native Land Conservancy
- Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project
Values Woven Into Our Fabric
At Machi Marketing Solutions, we honor the resilience of Indigenous relatives across the Americas every single day.
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