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SALT LAKE CITY -- Many of us will look forward to sharing a Thanksgiving meal with family and friends, expressing gratitude for those people and the food. But Native Americans say there is a lot about the turkey you don't know.
Artists have envisioned the first Thanksgiving. But we rarely hear of it from Native Americans. They believe their ancestors taught the Pilgrims about the soil and planting crops and how to hunt game and fowl.
People ask, do you celebrate thanksgiving? Everyday we celebrate thanksgiving, everyday is a giving of thanks," said Kalvin White, a member of the Navajo Nation.
As for the turkey - that we stuff, baste, brine and roast - most of us have no idea of its gifts.
"That turkey is a very sacred bird to us," says White. "We use that bird in ceremonies for healing; we use that bird in ceremonies for longevity of health."
White says loving preparation will bring the spirit of generosity and charity to those who eat it.
"Pour all of your love and your heart into your preparation of that bird. Pour your love, your goodwill, your good thoughts for your family so that when they partake of the flesh of that bird, they're going to receive good health."
At the new Utah Natural History Museum, Utahns have an opportunity to see for themselves and hear about the sacredness of the land and the culture of our native peoples.
"We're not talking about folks who are no longer here but rather people who are living among us in our communities and reservations throughout the state and from whom we can still learn a lot about how to live in this place," said Becky Menlove, Director of Exhibits at the Utah Natural History Museum.
Governor Herbert declared November 21st, Indigenous Day at the museum.
Kalvin White and his family will begin their Thanksgiving expressing gratitude for the earth, the natural water and the air we breathe.
"Despite what we read in textbooks and how we're conditioned to think about Thanksgiving, there's a whole indigenous perspective that's very good and very beautiful," said White.
Email: [cmikita@ksl.com](<mailto: cmikita@ksl.com>)
