As autumn unfolds, the calendar brings with it moments of celebration and reckoning. Columbus Day and Thanksgiving —two holidays often associated with gratitude and heritage—also carry the weight of historical trauma, especially for Native peoples. For many, these days are not festive—they are reminders of loss, displacement, and the long echo of injustice. Yet within this tension lies an opportunity: not to erase the past, but to reframe it . To move from pain to purpose, from division to dignity. This season invites us to turn the page—not as separate groups, but as people seeking restoration. Letting Go of What Hurts Healing is not forgetting. It is the release of what continues to wound . The mind holds memory; the heart holds emotion. To let go of either is difficult—especially when those responsible cannot or will not acknowledge the harm. But healing is not a transaction. It is a gift we give ourselves , our families, and the generations to come. Some cannot offer apology becau...