Seattle schools warn staff about Thanksgiving 'mourning' [View All]

Seattle schools warn staff about Thanksgiving 'mourning'

06:17 PM PST on Wednesday, November 14, 2007

By ERIC WILKINSON / KING 5 News

SEATTLE – A letter from the Seattle School District is raising some eyebrows about Thanksgiving and how it should be handled in the classroom.

The letter tells school district staff that the holiday is seen by many Native Americans as a "time of mourning."

It all started three years ago when some Native American parents voiced concerns about how Thanksgiving was being observed in Seattle Schools.

"In terms of what they were seeing in some of the use of the feathers and those things because those are of spiritual and ceremonial significance to us," said Willard Bill, Seattle Public Schools.

For the past three years, the Seattle School District has sent a letter to teachers and staff, telling them "Thanksgiving can be a difficult time for many native students."

http://www.king5.com/education/stories/NW_111407WAB_no_happy_thanksgiving_TP.3449914.html