Tag: Native Americans

Now On to October

In this post I reflect on some special days we remember in October. Some are light hearted and some sobering. And can we please agree to honor both Columbus and the Native Americans he met in 1492? Happy fall everyone.

Fun events happen in October. October is the tenth month of the year on the Gregorian calendar, though its name comes from the Latin word octo, which means “eight”. Latin gave us other “8” words like octagon and octopus.

Football and Other Fall Sports-and Food

Football season is already a few weeks old and will be soon followed by basketball. Whether it’s for school, college, or pro teams, fans are in the stadiums or in front of televisions cheering their favorite team.

Some folks just show up for the food as tailgating has become a sport in itself.

Liz Weinandy, MPH, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center offers these suggestions to choose tailgating foods that are healthier than the typical fare.

Some healthy food options for tailgating

A grilling barbecue with various skewered meats and vegetables, including chicken, sausages, and bell peppers, being cooked over an open flame.
Photo by Huu1ef3nh Nhu01b0 Mavi on Pexels.com

Columbus Day- October 12

The United States has one federal holiday this month, Columbus Day, the second Monday of October. This day commemorates October 12, 1492, the day Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer, reached the Americas. (Although he never landed in what is now the United States.)

President Donald Trump issued this Proclamation on October 9, 2025

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 13, 2025, as Columbus Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also direct that the flag of the United States be displayed on all public buildings on the appointed day in honor of the great Christopher Columbus and all who have contributed to building our Nation.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day-October 12

Before Columbus and other Europeans arrived in the Americas, indigenous people already lived in North America. I’m not going to recount the long history of their interactions, but by presidential proclamation, we now commemorate them on the second Monday in October-Indigenous Peoples Day.

 NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 10, 2022, as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.  I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.  I also direct that the flag of the United States be displayed on all public buildings on the appointed day in honor of our diverse history and the Indigenous peoples who contribute to shaping this Nation. 

I wrote about Native Americans in this post about watercress and in another about my trip to New Mexico.

The Rich History of Watercress in Native American Culture

In 1889, the Locvpokv Muscogee Creeks established the village of Talasi near the Arkansas River, later called Tulsa. The Council Oak remains a cultural landmark, where Native Americans hold ceremonies. This article explores watercress and its culinary uses, highlighting its significance to local indigenous communities and the environment.

Keep reading

The Art and Science of New Mexico

Taos is an art mecca both within the town and at the Taos Pueblo, which is also a must see for those interested in  Native American history and culture. At the pueblo, tribe members display and sell handmade arts and crafts.

Keep reading

Remembering Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

“On Saturday, October 27, 2018, a man with anti-Semitic motivations entered Tree of Life synagogue in the Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; he had an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle and three handguns, opening fire upon worshippers.

Eventually 11 civilians died at the scene and eight people sustained non-fatal injuries, including five police officers. Each person injured but alive at the scene received care at one of three local level-one trauma centers.

The injured had wounds often seen in war-settings, with the signature of high velocity weaponry.”

from Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting in Pittsburgh: Preparedness, Prehospital Care, and Lessons Learned

Halloween-October 31

Whether you like it or not, October is known for Halloween. While some reject it as pagan or evil, others make it fun and enjoyable without dark overtones.

Halloween, contraction of All Hallows’ Eve, a holiday observed on October 31, the evening before All Saints’ (or All Hallows’) Day. The celebration marks the day before the Western Christian feast of All Saints and initiates the season of Allhallowtide, which lasts three days and concludes with All Souls’ Day.

from brittanica.com

No Smoking sign with pumpkins
I snapped this photo at a farm in Georgia. I learned that tobacco smoke is as toxic to crops as it is to people. If you smoke, why not quit for Halloween. No Trick, Just Treat.

8 Questions for October

  1. What personal expectations do you have for October?
  2. How will you plan now to make your expectations happen?
  3. Are you usually a spectator or a participant in life activities? (Think of the sports analogy.)
  4. Where do you need more action, or more observation?
  5. What would you gain, or lose, either way?
  6. How do you approach commemorative holidays or observances?
  7. The article I used about the Squirrel Hill shooting discussed “Lessons Learned”. Do you think we learn anything from shootings that makes us safer?
  8. How do remember, reflect, and heal from your personal traumatic experiences?

If you are suffering mentally, emotionally, or physically from trauma, please seek help from your personal physician, spiritual advisor, or local mental health resources.

exploring the HEART of health

However you choose to observe the “holidays” of October, have fun, stay safe, respect others, and please follow and share Watercress Words.

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Doctor Aletha

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November Dates and Days

November in the U.S. brings Thanksgiving, a time for family and reflection. We also acknowledge Armistice Day, Native American Heritage Month, and Giving Tuesday, promoting generosity and the contributions of diverse communities. Each observance highlights cultural significance and the importance of giving back.

Say “November”, and in the United States, we think “Thanksgiving”.

Yes, for the abundant and delicious food we consume, but mostly because it’s a time spent with family, often ones we don’t see every day. And other countries observe a Thanksgiving Day.

What do you have planned for Thanksgiving?

Whether you have made plans yet or not, what would make your holiday special and satisfying? What do you need to do now to make that happen?

Photo by Kelly on Pexels.com

An Immigrant’s Thanksgiving

Dr. Hans Duvefelt immigrated to the United States from Sweden. He practices medicine in Maine and writes a blog, “A Country Doctor Writes”.

He wrote about his first Thanksgiving in the United States. Here is a link to that article.

Another Thanksgiving Reflection

A Country Doctor Writes

Dr. Duvefelt published his blog posts as a 3-book series, available on Amazon. (affiliate link)

Daylight Saving Time ends

If you don’t like changing to Daylight Saving Time in the spring, you will welcome the change back to standard time in the fall. We used to change in October but a few years ago it was extended to the first Sunday in November.

If the change messes with your sleep, this post offers help to adjust quickly.

How does the change in daylight hours affect the way you feel and function?

Armistice Day-November 11

Maybe you’ve never heard of this day. It’s become more of a historical term for the end of World War I, said to have ended “at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month” in 1918.

Many countries observe it in various ways. In the United Kingdom it’s called Remembrance Day. In the United States, we mark it as Veterans’ Day, where we honor those who have served in the military in all wars and peacetime.

Forever Honoring Our Veterans 

Veterans Day on November 11 honors all who served in the U.S. armed forces. The Veterans Administration provides crucial health care and education through the VHA system. Personal stories highlight the deep bonds between veterans and their families. Meets a wounded veteran’s therapy dog serving as his best man at his wedding.

Keep reading

Your Veteran Relatives

Some veterans welcome the chance to tell stories about their service time, while others find it too intrusive. Be sensitive to their feelings and don’t push those who are reluctant to share.

For your relatives who are willing to talk about their military experiences, show interest even if you’ve heard their stories before. Their accounts are history that may otherwise be unknown. Once they are gone, their stories will be gone too. Don’t miss this chance to learn valuable family history.

Native American Heritage Month

The Thanksgiving holiday mostly celebrates the immigration of Europeans to the North American continent. Native American Heritage Day and Month, recognize the people who were already here.

It is a time to celebrate the traditions, languages and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation….

we celebrate the culture and heritage of these remarkable Americans who deeply enrich the quality and character of our Nation.

We celebrate Indian Country with its remarkable diversity of American Indian and Alaska Native cultures and peoples while remembering and honoring our veterans who have sacrificed so much to defend our Nation.

U.S. Department of the InteriorIndian Affairs

If you descend from Indigenous groups, how do you observe and preserve your heritage?

If you descend from people who came to North America from elsewhere, what do you know about the Indigenous people who inhabited the land you now live on?

The Rich History of Watercress in Native American Culture

In 1889, the Locvpokv Muscogee Creeks established the village of Talasi near the Arkansas River, later called Tulsa. The Council Oak remains a cultural landmark, where Native Americans hold ceremonies. This article explores watercress and its culinary uses, highlighting its significance to local indigenous communities and the environment.

Keep reading

Giving Tuesday-“Radical Generosity”

It started with Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, when shoppers flock to retailers in search of Christmas shopping bargains.

Then came Small Business Saturday, which promotes local, independently owned businesses.

And the next shopping event is Cyber Monday, for e-commerce transactions on the Monday after Thanksgiving. It was created by retailers to encourage people to shop online.

All of these are opportunities for shoppers to save money and for businesses to make profits, strengthening the economy. But some parts of our society can fall through the cracks of that economy.

While some of us may be doing well financially, not everyone is. And that’s where Giving Tuesday bridges the gap.

Join the GivingTuesday movement and reimagine a world built upon shared humanity and radical generosity.

Giving Tuesday website

And generosity is not just about money. “Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts, and everyone has something to give.”

Radical generosity-the suffering of others should be as intolerable to us as our own suffering

GIVING TUESDAY

Because Thanksgiving is November 27, Cyber Monday is December 1, and Giving Tuesday is December 2. But why wait? Any day is a perfect day to be generous.

Exploring the HEART of health

Thank you for reading this post. Please follow this blog and me on social media.

I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

a world globe with two crossed bandaids

Doctor Aletha