Gratitude is a beautiful thing, a universal language, one that transcends borders, beliefs, and time. It is something that has been on my mind a lot these last few months. I finally read Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass. In it, they share the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, also known as Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen—”Words That Come Before All Else.” This sacred tradition of gratitude offers a profound reminder of our interdependence with nature and each other. In a world that is business and where we are so divorced from nature, it is a reminder that we are all in fact connected.
Then I saw a course with Monique Gray Smith. She worked with Robin and adapted the book and created Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults. It spoke to me and I signed up. This started a couple of weeks ago and it is really making me stop and think. She spoke so passionately about the Thanksgiving Address and I wondered how the ethos of this could transfer over the lands and seas to here in Scotland.
Honouring the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address
The Haudenosaunee people, also known as the Iroquois Confederacy, recite this address as a way of beginning gatherings, grounding themselves in gratitude for the Earth and all its beings. It’s a deeply spiritual and cultural practice, and as an educator, I am mindful of approaching it with respect. To me, it can be a way to help us connect with the more than human world as we come together at the start of our sessions.
I was worried though, was creating a version that represented my Scotland, with the folklore, heritage and learnings ok or was it cultural appropriation. I reached out to Monique Gray Smith, and asked their opinion. I was met with love and understanding, and she reassures me that it’s okay to share and learn from Indigenous wisdom—as long as it’s done with humility and an understanding of its origins. This is my aim. To recognise what has come before and use it to help our children and teacher develop their relationship with the more than human world.
A Scottish Reflection on Gratitude
So, inspired by Robin and Monique and the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, I began to wonder: What might a similar expression of gratitude look like for Scotland, grounded in its landscapes, traditions, and natural rhythms? Could I create one that felt right to me.
Here’s one version I’ve written, celebrating Scotland’s unique connection to nature:
A Scottish Thanksgiving Address
To the circle of life
We give thanks to the great web that connects us all, seen and unseen, from the wee creatures to the tallest mountains. May we honour the balance that sustains us all.
Let us remember: we are part of the circle.
To the Land
We give thanks to Alba, the land that cradles us, from the rolling glens to the rugged coasts. Your beauty and bounty sustain us, and your spirit inspires us.
Let us tread lightly upon your soil.
To the Waters
We give thanks to the lochs, rivers, and seas, and to the plentiful rain that nourishes our land. Your life-giving waters bring abundance and renewal.
May we keep them pure and flowing.
To the Skies
We give thanks to the winds that sweep over the hills and the meerie dancers lighting up our nights. To the Sun that warms us, the Moon that guides us, and the stars that light the way.
May we find wisdom in your patterns.
To the Rhythms of Light and Darkness
We give thanks for the short days of winter and their quiet long nights, offering rest and renewal. We also honour the long summer days and brief nights, bringing energy and joy.
May we cherish the balance they bring.
To the Trees and Forests
We give thanks to the ancient woods, the wise Oaks, protective Rowans, and the abundance of Scots Pine, for shelter, wisdom, and life. You are the guardians of the Earth, offering breath and sanctuary.
Let us protect you as you protect us.
To the Plants and Harvest
We give thanks to the grains, roots, fruits, fungi and herbs that nourish and heal us. To the wildflowers that brighten the meadows and to the heather that blooms upon the hills.
May we sow and harvest with care.
To the Creatures of the Land and Sea
We give thanks to the deer in the forests, the salmon in the rivers, and the birds in the sky. To all animals who share this land with us, teaching us respect and balance.
May we honour your spirits.
To the Elements
We give thanks to fire, water, air, and earth, the sacred forces that create and sustain all life. Your energy shapes our world and fills us with awe.
May we live in harmony with you.
To the ancestors
We give thanks to those who came before us, who walked these paths and tended this land. Your wisdom and stories are the foundation upon which we stand.
May we carry your legacy forward.
To the Spirits and Guardians
We give thanks to the spirits of the land, sea, and sky, who guide and watch over us. To the fae in the glens, the selkies in the waves, and the wise ones in the hills.
May we listen for your whispers.
To the Cycle of Seasons
We give thanks to the turning wheel of the year. To Samhain’s reflection, Imbolc’s hope, Beltane’s joy, and the harvest of Lammas. Each season teaches us its lesson.
May we honour the rhythms of time.
To the Creator and the Mystery of Life
We give thanks to the divine source of all, the great mystery that weaves through all existence. For the gift of life, love, and connection.
May we walk with gratitude and wonder.
My Why
It took a lot of time and reflection to write this. I am pretty sure it will change and evolve as I change and evolve. But, it took things I love. The circle of life gives me hope and reminds me of how we are all connected to each other and this land in which we live. Using ‘Alba’ reflects my journey into Gaelic, which has deepened my connection to this land. The trees in recognition of those tattooed on my arm and a reminder of what I hoped they would imbue. Every part of it means something to me. Some I share in sessions with adults and children and other bits that are just there for me and mine.
Imagining Your Own Thanksgiving Address
But this exercise got me thinking: What would a gratitude address look like in a classroom setting? If your students were to write their own version, what would they include? Perhaps it would reflect the wildlife and seasons of their local area or draw on their own cultural heritage, or maybe it would be something different. That would be ok as well. So, why not ask your class? This can be a lesson that starts outdoors, maybe with a circle time as they share what they like, care for, feel outdoors that could then transfer into writing. (And remember, if we are doing writing in a jotter inspired by outdoor work we can draw a wee tree or green dot in the top corner of that page to recognise that.)
Encourage your class to think about:
- What elements of nature or community are they most thankful for?
- What traditions or values shape their sense of gratitude?
- How could they express their thanks in a way that feels authentic to them?
You can start by sharing the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, you can access the beautiful version from the book here.
Gratitude really is something that can bring love and light to a tumultuous world. It is a practice that connects us both to the more than human world and to each other. Whether it’s through the wisdom of the Haudenosaunee, the insights of Braiding Sweetgrass, or a reflection on Scotland’s landscapes, expressing thanks helps us find balance and belonging.
What would your Thanksgiving Address look like? If you have your class create one please do share it with us. We would really love to see it.
