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40 °F 5 Day Forecast Tuesday, December 9, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend November 27, 2003 American Indians fete spirit of holiday By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune For Brent Florendo, Thanksgiving is not just about being thankful, it’s about the generosity and hospitality extended by hosts to hungry visitors. The day is "all about helping others," said Florendo, program coordinator for Native American Studies at Southern Oregon University and a member of the Wasco tribe of eastern Oregon. He is among many local American Indians sitting down to a traditional banquet today. Florendo is organizing a feast today for fellow American Indians at SOU who are unable to make it home for the holiday. "To be their family is an honor," he said, adding that he expected more than 25 people to show up. Advertisement He said he doesn’t view the day as a reminder of what was lost for native cultures. "There has to be some degree of resolution or healing that has to take place," he said. He said the native people were charitable to the Pilgrims, and that is his focus. "What happened after that was extremely unfortunate," he said. But he said he’d rather celebrate life. "This holiday can be a positive thing," he said. And he’s not alone. "We’re having turkey and ham and fish and salads and pies ... .," said Agnes Pilgrim, a Takelma tribal elder who said she was anticipating 20 to 25 people around her dinner table today. She said the autumn feast with extended families coming together is a long-standing native tradition, so Thanksgiving Day fits right in. "Traditionally we all do our prayers before we eat ...," she said, "to our Creator and to our Mother Earth for sustaining our lives." "It kind of sets the tone for Christmas," she said. But it’s not just an annual event. "I give thanks every day for being alive," said Pilgrim, adding that she’s survived several cancer bouts. David West, director of the Native American Studies program at SOU, agreed that many American Indians celebrate this time of year. "The fall time was always a time of celebration because it was the harvest time," he said. "It’s a time to be reflective of the bounty of the Mother Earth and thankful to those who gave up their life so the rest of us can live," he said. With turkey, cranberries, wild rice, cornbread stuffing, green beans and pumpkin pie, West’s table will offer dishes that were a staple of his eastern woodlands ancestors, the Potawatomi, he said. There’s one modern twist: His family does have "a really great Jell-O salad." West also said it’s not uncommon for the relatives to end up gathered around the television watching football. "We’re sports fans," he said. Florendo said he’ll likely bring his drum to the gathering, but other than that, the festive day is modern. "We’ll probably break out the Playstation II," he said. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times