William Sutherland's photos with the keyword: Day of Mourning

Created from DALL·E 2 – Open AI and Smart Photo Editor . As millions of Americans celebrate Thanksgiving on this conflicted day, it is important to remember this is a day of mourning for the indigenous peoples of the USA especially since “thanksgivings” were repeatedly offered to celebrate acts of genocide and murder committed against Native American peoples. There can be no joy until the 415-year occupation, though realistically irreversible, is addressed. At a minimum Native American nations (575 at least – if the Eastern Pequots are given their due recognition) should be granted autonomy over their lands and some form of reparations consisting of land awards and financial compensation are given for their suffering to ensure self-sufficiency. The same holds true with regard to reparations for African-Americans because of the disgusting stain of slavery and racism, the latter that remains endemic in our 21st century society. The soft pastel colors represent a new dawn with the soft red symbolizing life, the abundance of lines represent natural phenomena, water and the Native American connection with the spiritual world. The two circles represent the sun (a symbol of life giving warmth, healing and peace) and the moon (a guide and protector). The silhouetted tepees represent Native American peoples and nations. Therefore, as Americans celebrate Thanksgiving – we should be mindful of the sadness of Native Americans, take a moment to mourn and pray for their ancestors who were slaughtered, yearn for the day the 415-year occupation is addressed, and give thanks that in spite of the evils of the past, Native Americans are STILL HERE and LIVE along with our traditional gratitude for family, friends and health and for those who believe regardless of faith – to God for His abundance of blessings.

Rye, NY Created from the natural pattern found on a leaf to celebrate Native American peoples and their rich, diverse cultures. It is fitting the prominent pattern that resembles a "running deer" comes from natural origins since everything in creation is interconnected. In Native American culture, deer represent food, shelter, prosperity, clothing, continuity and the cycle of life from the “Spirit world” to the Earth and then back to the “Spirit World.” Per Native Americans deer are considered “Guardians of the Forest” which should inspire us especially during this period of climate change to rediscover our role as being guardians of the environment. The wigwam at the bottom of this abstract creation symbolizes our temporary dwelling on this planet and its lands that have been offered to provide for our needs during our transient stay. The circle represents the rising sun for new beginnings as well as equality, family ties, closeness and safety. The flowing red represents the blood that courses through our veins, which is the essence of life as well as beauty and joy. The splotches of black represent strength and prosperity while the abundance of gray represents the wisdom of simplicity and the embrace of the spiritual over the material. Finally the green represents ecological healing as well the mending that is desperately needed between red, black, white, brown and yellow in the USA. As the “Thanksgiving” holiday approaches here in the USA – an opportunity to take pause in our lives and reflect on God’s providence, Americans must also recognize it is an intensely painful and disheartening day for many Native Americans. Aside from the Plymouth Rock narrative, many of the original colonists gave “thanks” to celebrate the horrific plague that decimated Indigenous communities with the depraved view that God had “cleared the lands” for them. At another time, some also held a “thanksgiving” ceremony to celebrate the success of the 1637 atrocity they committed in Mystic, CT when they slaughtered 400+ Pequot peoples (overwhelmingly women and children since most of the warriors had been away at the time) – America’s first act of genocide that left only a dozen or so survivors with many sold into slavery. Finally, may government leaders do the right thing and recognize the Eastern Pequots as a tribe since they are DNA descendants of these dozen or so survivors. Their continued failure perpetuates this first genocide and the pain felt in Indigenous communities. Also by coincidence, my timing could not have been better. Since 2009, November is observed as National Native American Heritage Month in the USA to celebrate the contributions and culture of our indigenous peoples. :)