Have complicated feelings about “Thanksgiving?” You’re not alone.
This year, instead of feeling uncomfortable “celebrating” a holiday that shouldn’t be a holiday at all, or wondering how to honor our history while also spending time with loved ones, do something different. On the Sunday prior to “Thanksgiving,” join us for a workshop to confront the impacts White Supremacy Culture & Colonialism have had on Native People as well as White People - yes both. From there, we’ll have a better sense of how to move forward with being more connected to our country’s past and our present on Thanksgiving and the days that follow.
Here is some of what we will explore in this workshop:
The history of our country (some of which you very likely don’t know, because it has been intentionally hidden).
How the impacts of white supremacy culture and colonialism have trickled down to the experiences of Native People today.
How we cause unconscious harm with micro-aggressions against Native People that happen all too often, how to spot them and stop them in the future.
The changes we can make to make an actual difference for Native People.
How to be more connected and present this Thanksgiving and all days.
What culture looks like for white Americans, how that impacts us,
The shame we carry about our White Supremacy and Colonialist history.
How shame can disconnect us and block our capacity to grieve.
What we are grieving underneath the shame.
Devin and Olivia (scroll down for bios) will also discuss what it’s like to be a Native Person and a White Person on Thanksgiving and really every other day of the year as it relates to the relationship between Native and White peoples. You will personally connect with how you feel on Thanksgiving and about American history and the relationship and experiences of white people and Native peoples.
We know this can be a heavy and intimidating topic but it is also a very important one. And our hope is that you will walk away feeling more connected to your experience, more empowered in your knowledge and the options you have to actually make a difference, and that you’ll feel more connected to your experience on Thanksgiving and every day.
The workshop will include an Opening Circle, some teachings, some interactive discussions, and interview-style discussion between the facilitators (including the questions white people may feel uncomfortable asking), small group connecting, personal reflection, and lots of room for questions, concluding with a Closing Circle.
We are offering a sliding scale for the workshop but if at the lowest level finances are a barrier, please contact me regarding scholarship. Allen Avenue UU Church has donated the space and all ticket sales will be split between paying Olivia for her time and expertise and an organization that is replacing SNAP funds for Wabanaki peoples who are impacted this month.
A note about timing: we will gather from 3:00-5:30PM. We plan to honor that end time and then will remain to connect with participants and Olivia has books and resources you can check out as well. So we plan to stay until around 6:00PM.
Meet your Facilitators
Olivia Friday Loneman, M.Ed., CSE, is an enrolled tribal citizen of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, an AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator, and a dedicated advocate for anti-oppressive, trauma-informed education. She serves as the Senior Education Program Manager at Planned Parenthood of Northern New England and is the founder of Many Paths Consulting. Recently appointed to the Cheyenne and Arapaho Board of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, Olivia’s work centers historically marginalized communities, weaving together culture, identity, and collective healing.
With a Master’s in Human Sexuality Education, a BA in Gender Studies, and over a decade in reproductive health, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience as a light-skinned Native woman navigating cultural tokenism and racial invisibility. Her work is grounded in the belief that liberation begins in spaces where people can bring their whole selves, where stories are honored, and transformation is possible. Above all, Olivia is a proud mother to a joyful Two-Spirit child who inspires her every day to work toward a world rooted in autonomy, connection, and care.
A note from Olivia about this workshop: “I’m grateful for the chance to walk into this work together with Devin centering honesty and heart. These conversations aren’t easy but they are imperative, and I deeply respect the care Devin brings in holding them in a good way. I’m looking forward to what we’ll build in community with truth, tenderness, and accountability leading the way.”
Rev. Devin Green (Devin/Rev Dev) is a Modern Interspiritual/Interfaith Minister (think “Spiritual but not Religious”), Intuitive Coach and Transformative Mediator. She is passionate about learning about and breaking down the divides that separate and harm us individually and as a collective, including the impacts of our White, Male, Christian Dominant Society.
Devin believes we are all interconnected and feels most connected to in Earth-based, Evidence/Science-based and interconnection-based spiritual teachings. She believes that living more connected to Self, Spirit, the Land and Others is the healing path forward as individuals and as a Collective. You can learn more about Devin here and the philosophy of The Connected Way™ here and her work here.
A note from Devin about this workshop: “I am incredibly grateful to have connected with Olivia. Our meeting feels like no accident and I’m so honored and glad that she is willing (and eager) to accompany me and the participants in navigating these hard conversations with me. I have never wanted to do work like this without representation but also believe it is not Native People’s jobs to teach us. So her enthusiasm to dive into this with me has been such a blessing. I really hope you’ll join us.”