Coast Salish Map
Deep fried turkey, brined turkey, roasted turkey, stuffed turkey, tofurky, and, of course, turkey trots! That’s right, we are a mere three days away from all things turkey. Participating in a community run on Thanksgiving has become as much of a tradition on this day of thanks as pumpkin pie. However, we’ve yet to solidify as a Thanksgiving tradition a simple act of gratitude that, too, can become tradition if we embrace it with the same fervor as the turkey trot: land acknowledgment. In the Seattle area, this means “honoring and acknowledging the land on which you work and play” as the traditional land of the Suquamish and Duwamish tribes, the first people of Seattle.
The Duwamish Tribe provides an example of a land acknowledgement to use verbatim or as a template on their website, where visitors to the site can learn more about the tribe’s history and culture today.
https://www.duwamishtribe.org/land-acknowledgement
The practice of land acknowledgment dates back centuries for indigenous people. Similarly, running, as both hobby and sport, in indigenous communities is not a product of colonialism. From advocacy to healing, running continues to factor into the lives of tribal communities in meaningful ways. Here are four examples, one of which features Washington State’s own Rosalie Fish, high school track prodigy and member of the Cowlitz Tribe.
Muckleshoot Tribal School’s Rosalie Fish wins the 800 at the Class 1B state track and field meet in Cheney on May 25. (Courtesy of WIAA)
Rosalie Fish Article:
Jordan Marie Article:
Kwe Pack Article:
Running Medicine Website (cover photo source):
As runners, we frequently give thanks to a body that endures the training, a mind that pushes through metaphorical walls, and teammates and loved ones who encourage lofty pursuits. Less often, though, do we pause to express gratitude for the tribes and stewards of the land on which we run. Centering land acknowledgment and the stories of Indigenous peoples as a practice of gratitude this Thanksgiving and every day “is a simple way of resisting the erasure of Indigenous histories and working towards honoring and inviting the truth” (Duwamish Tribe). Club Northwest wishes you a happy Thanksgiving, and invites you to ackowledge with us that we run on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present and honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.