Dinner + Lecture: Reclaiming Thanksgiving: Honoring the Past, Nourishing The Future

Thanksgiving is often celebrated as a time of gratitude and togetherness, but the traditional narrative, told through the eyes of Christopher Columbus, the Pilgrims, and the Colonists, leaves out the painful truths experienced by Indigenous peoples. This event invites us to re-imagine Thanksgiving by acknowledging the true history of colonization, displacement, and resilience from the Indigenous perspective.

Join us for a lecture by Matika Wilbur (Swinomish & Tulalip), who will share the first story of Thanksgiving, unraveling the myths and re-imagining what this holiday could mean today. Matika will guide us through how we might approach Thanksgiving in a more meaningful way—grounded in truth, healing, and respect for Indigenous histories and futures.

Following the lecture, participate in a real Thanksgiving experience, led by nutritionist and food sovereignty advocate Valerie Segrest, who will set the table with traditional, nourishing foods that honor the land and traditional practices of Coast Salish People.