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Native American Heritage Month: Learning from Indigenous Stewardship
Native American Heritage Month: Learning from Indigenous Stewardship
November is Native American Heritage Month, a chance to celebrate and learn from the original stewards of the land. Indigenous communities across North America have sustained ecosystems for millennia through practices rooted in respect and reciprocity.
From controlled burns that maintain forest health to rotational farming and sustainable fishing, these approaches remind us that humans are the keepers of nature and its systems.
How to honor and learn this month:
Attend local Indigenous-led events or exhibits.
Support Native-owned businesses and artists.
Learn about the history of your region’s original inhabitants.
Follow Indigenous environmental organizations online and amplify their voices.
Honoring Indigenous knowledge isn’t just about history, it’s about spreading awareness of past transgressions, encouraging reparations to harmed communities and building a better future together that doesn't dismiss or repeat the past.
Sustainable Decorating & Holiday Prep
Holiday decorations can be expensive and potentially wasteful. prep doesn’t have to come at the planet’s expense. With a few mindful swaps, you can make your space festive while minimizing waste.
Here are a few simple ideas:
Reuse what you have.
Vintage ornaments, old ribbons, or even mason jars can do the trick. Ask family members if they have decor they arent using.
Go natural.
Pinecones, dried oranges, evergreen sprigs, and cinnamon sticks make beautiful biodegradable decor.
Skip the glitter.
It’s just shiny microplastics and can be quite the headache to clean up. For natural shimmer think metallic fabrics or baskets, even candlelight.
Store smart.
Pack decor carefully to extend its lifespan year after year.
Black Friday & Conscious Shopping
Black Friday & Conscious Shopping
November marks the start of what’s called “the most wonderful time of the year.” and not surprisingly is also the most consumption-heavy. From Black Friday deals to mountains of wrapping paper, our culture has turned celebration into shopping and alters how we see generosity.
Most of us buy because we care. We give because we want to show love and appreciation. But when our spending outpaces our needs, its no longer joyous.. just wasteful. Though the money came from your wallet, someone somewhere else pays for it.
The Culture of Consumption
The Culture of Consumption
After the Great Depression, consumer spending was reframed as patriotism, where buying was your way of “supporting the economy.” By the mid-20th century, companies were building entire traditions around consumption: Santa’s red suit from a Coca-Cola ad, department store parades, and later, the shopping holiday now known as Black Friday...practically a cultural event.
After the Great Depression, consumer spending was reframed as patriotism, where buying was your way of “supporting the economy.” By the mid-20th century, companies were building entire traditions around consumption: Santa’s red suit from a Coca-Cola ad, department store parades, and later, the shopping holiday now known as Black Friday...practically a cultural event.
Today, the average American produces 25% more waste between Thanksgiving and New Year’s than at any other time of year. Meanwhile, the same culture leaves many families struggling to keep up. There's an emotional and financial burden on the holiday season. Our current system equates care with consumption, typically at the expense of people and the planet.
The Hidden Cost of “Generosity”
The Hidden Cost of “Generosity”
We like to think that donating excess items offsets overconsumption, but unfortunately thats not true.
Only about 10–30% of donated clothing in the U.S. actually gets resold domestically. The rest is exported, burned, or buried.
Much of it ends up in markets and landfills in the Global South, where communities must process or dispose of materials they didn’t create.
Meanwhile, workers who produce fast-made goods often earn poverty wages, and low-income communities near landfills face the environmental consequences of mass disposal.
What looks like generosity here can translate to environmental and social burden elsewhere.
The Emotional Cycle
The Emotional Cycle
Overconsumption isn’t just economic, it’s emotional. We shop for connection, status, or comfort, especially around the holidays. But that short burst of satisfaction often gives way to clutter, guilt, or debt. Then, to feel better, we repeat the cycle.
Breaking the cycle is possible, you jus have to shop with intention. Real generosity starts with thoughtfulness, not excess.
How to Rethink Black Friday Shopping (and Beyond)
How to Rethink Black Friday Shopping (and Beyond)
Pause before you purchase.
Ask: Do I need this, love this, and will I use it next year? Waiting 24 hours before buying can cut impulse purchases by half.
2. Buy better, not more.
Support local, small, or sustainable brands. Every dollar you spend is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in.
3. Give differently.
Offer experiences, homemade items, or your time instead of more stuff. Memory lasts longer than packaging.
4. Donate intentionally.
Before dropping off items, call local shelters or community centers to see what’s needed. Give based on demand, not personal convenience.
As the season of gratitude unfolds, may we remember that sustainability begins with appreciation, for the land that sustains us, the people who came before us, and the resources we already have. Whether you’re learning from Indigenous wisdom, rethinking consumption, or creating beauty from what’s around you, each mindful act is a quiet form of thanks.
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