10/11/2026
This Thanksgiving long weekend, I am reminded by all the delicious food the Earth provides, and to be sure I give back to Her all the sustenance She has worked to provide me, my loved ones, and humanity.
To keep me connected to my eco-responsibility, I draw on the teachings of the Dish with One Spoon Agreement that was made among Indigenous nations in northeastern North America, including the Anishinaabe, Mississaugas, and Haudenosaunee Confederacies.
Its core symbolism:
• The Dish: Represents the shared land and its territory—stretching roughly from the Great Lakes down to Quebec and parts of the United States (such as southern Ontario).
• The Spoon: Represents all the nations and individuals who live within and use the resources of the territory. Sharing just one spoon means everyone must feed from the same land cooperatively.
• No Knives: There are no knives at the table, symbolizing that violence, war, and fighting over territory are forbidden.
Key Principles
• Take only what you need: People must limit what they take from the land so that enough remains for others.
• Keep the dish clean: Everyone shares the responsibility of protecting the environment, water, and wildlife.
• Leave something for the future: Resources must be managed sustainably to support future generations.