I am deeply grateful to those of you who have taken the bold step of showing solidarity with Native Americans and with white settler descendants who wish to see an end to showcasing an outdated and racist colonial view of indigenous people. As the descendant of both a Potawatomi ancestor and a French Canadian voyageur (fur trader), I have learned to look at this continent's history from both sides. I have great respect for my French Canadian ancestor who ventured into the wilderness and coped with enormous challenges. I also understand that he respected the wilderness and the bounty to be found there, not to mention the indigenous people who lived there and shared their knowledge, and one of whom he married.

Some view efforts to correct the historical record as "erasure", as disrespect. If there is painful "erasure" in our history it is the genocide committed against indigenous people and their culture as recent revelations about Indian Residential Schools has documented.

My historical and spiritual awakening in recent years has involved not just understanding, but feeling and internalizing the intimate connections that indigenous people have with Mother Earth (aka "the desolate wilderness" in colonial times). If I could present you with a gift of gratitude it would be to share in such connections with our other than human kin. Together, indigenous descendants, settler descendants, and our other than human kin, we can make a better and safer world to pass onto future generations. Making that happen requires that we hold onto the wisdom and courage of our ancestors. But is also means that  we move on and jettison that which is harmful.