12 Ways to Give Back to the Earth this Holiday
At Ohmapi, we start each day with a greeting to the forest, and at snack and lunch, we share part of the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address. This Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address is a beautiful way to express gratitude for the Earth and all the living things around us. The Haudenosaunee (also known as the Iroquois Confederacy or Six Nations) recite this Address at the beginning and end of gatherings, and many people even say it each morning as a sunrise prayer. It’s a reminder to honor life, care for our planet, and recognize how everything is connected. The Address expresses gratitude for: people, waters, plants, animals, trees, winds, sun, moon, stars, wisdom keepers, and the Creator. Here’s a link to the whole verse: https://danceforallpeople.com/haudenosaunee-thanksgiving-address/
The second verses is: “We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our mother, we send our greetings and our thanks. Now our minds are one.”
Here are 12 simple and meaningful ideas for honoring our connection to the Earth:
Plant a native tree or shrub: A small act with big impact on habitat, soil, and air.
Have a “no-waste” week or “no-waste” holiday gift exchange: Eliminate making any “trash” by using cloth napkins, jars, reusable bags, etc...for a week. Or, better yet, have a no waste holiday season. Make gifts or buy exclusively from thrift stores and wrap in cloth or pillowcases and tie with a scarf.
Collect seeds and save them to sow them in the right season: Wildflowers, herbs, or native grasses. In many places, one of the bast ways and time of year to plant is the winter. Make seed balls. Let them dry and then toss them into nature. The seed ball protects (some of) the seeds from nibbling rodents and birds and the winter rains help the seeds germinate. Make a lot of them, because it is ok to feed the rodents and birds too.
Start a small compost system: Even a countertop bin teaches is wonderful and from this small daily act, the kids understand that food waste is not trash and transforms back into nutrients for our food growing plants.
Make natural bird feeders: Use pinecones, seed mixes, or dried fruits to feed winter wildlife.
Do a micro-litter walk: Ten minutes, one small bag.
Press leaves: Collect fallen leaves on a walk and turn them into simple nature art or bookmarks.
Track backyard or neighborhood wildlife: Kids note what they see for a week, birds, bugs, squirrels.
Make a mini windowsill garden: Herbs, potatoes, celery stalk, sprouts and more grow well indoors in the winter.
Host a clothing/toy swap: Reduce waste by trading gently used clothes instead of buying new ones.
Join a local habitat restoration day: Help plant native species, remove invasive plants, or clean up a park or shoreline.
Learn one new constellation: Go here: https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/night/ to find what constellations are in your area each night any time of the night. Then research the constellation story. That night, gaze up at the stars to find the constellation and tell the story.
Wishing you and your families a joyful, Earth-centered holiday season!