PLATFORM : Year-Round Spirit
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Thanksgiving evolved from the Indian harvest celebration in which the Great Spirit was thanked. We shared everything with the Pilgrims when they arrived in Massachusetts. About a decade later, (Massachusetts’) Indians were wiped out by disease and war.
Indians had their own governments, religion, a way of life, and losing that broke the spirit of many. Metropolitan Los Angeles has the largest urban Indian population in the United States. Three-fifths of those 100,000 Indians live below the poverty level and more than 40% are unemployed.
Non-Indians who study our culture learn about our major values: respect for elders, respect for the environment and generosity. These values should be re-emphasized throughout society because the population is getting older and the environment is being spoiled. Generosity, respect and love are needed all year long, not just during the holiday season.
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