The Department of the Interior, which supervises a number of Bureaus, the National Park Service, and US Fish and Wildlife, is not one of the federal Departments that comes readily to mind by most Americans. But its reach is wide, and the difference between the DOI of the Biden-Harris Administration and the past and potentially […]
Native Americans
Honoring the Wampanoags Today and Moving Toward a More Perfect Union
As a spiritual practice, and for positive mental health, it is good to give thanks – to express gratitude, whether to a powerful God, our guardian angels, our families and friends, and our teachers and other generous givers of wisdom. We can perhaps also add so many other people – and even inanimate “beings” – […]
Archaeological Discoveries and the Pursuit of Social Justice
The mission of the Archaeological Institute of America reads, in part, “The AIA promotes archaeological inquiry and public understanding of the material record of the human past to foster an appreciation of diverse cultures and our shared humanity.” The values of the Archaeological Conservancy, as stated on their website, include the following: “The Archaeological Conservancy […]
Thanksgiving Takeaways: Honoring Traditions and Educating Ourselves with New Data and Insights
We in the United States have experienced one of the most unique Thanksgiving seasons ever. We are in the midst of a long, tragic pandemic, we have just come through most of our election season (!), and we have seen a reawakening of racial justice activism. What, in this challenging age, can we Americans preserve […]
Giving Thanks for Our Native American Neighbors
In this season of Thanksgiving, and as we head into the holiday season, two recent developments from the little state of Vermont are noteworthy. Earlier this year, the Vermont Legislature passed a law designating the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, replacing the traditional designation of Columbus Day. Republican Governor Phil Scott signed […]