Just as Thanksgiving is a holiday that many find impossible to celebrate because the formation of this country meant that the indigenous tribes across the US lost their lands and were killed. The early settlers faced persecution back in England and across Europe, but they also perpetrated massacres and stole land from tribes.
Nothing can be celebrated when the US government should apologize to all indigenous communities across the US and pay back tribes for killing and stealing their land in massive reparations.
There is progress in giving land back to tribes. That is big progress but the US government must go further for what was done to indigenous people throughout US history and still occurs to this day.
KQED: Northern California Tribe to Get Back 125 Acres of Ancestral Land Stolen During Gold Rush
Los Angeles Times: Native tribes are getting a slice of their land back- under the condition that they preserve it
While this is wonderful momentum in paying back tribal nations in the US, the US government still does not listen to indigenous communities or respect their land. There may be a handful of times the US has given land back, but there are more attempts of the US government using and polluting tribal and sacred land. Whether it is the border wall, mining projects, and solar or wind farms, the US government is exerting its authority on land that is not theirs to use and destroying it.
We have a lot to do to pay back Native Americans, and one way is to be respectful on this holiday and show your support.
Please stay safe this 4th of July and refrain from using fire works. It is a huge fire risk in many parts of the country and it terrifies wildlife and pets.