Photo by Ella Shelton ‘26.
Senators read the Mount Holyoke College Land Acknowledgement, which is read at each meeting.
By Paige Comeau ’26
Staff Writer
Content warning: This article discusses anti-Indigenous violence.
On Nov. 14, senate opened its weekly meeting with a land acknowledgment, a discussion on decolonization, a word from the Student Government Association Diversity, Equity and Inclusion officer and open floor.
Chair of Senate Julia Madonick ’24 led the land acknowledgment before she and Chair of Halls Serynn Nowlin ’25 began to discuss decolonization. They stated that the SGA and senate leaders wanted to examine the history surrounding Thanksgiving and actions students could take to help Indigenous communities.
The senate’s presentation described decolonization as “cultural, psychological and economic freedom” for Indigenous people to achieve sovereignty and practice self-determination over their land, cultures and political and economic systems.
To practice the ideology of Truthsgiving, coined by Indigenous activist Sikowis Nobiss, SGA wanted to pay particular attention to the lies surrounding the origin of the Thanksgiving holiday.
There is no evidence that the local Indigenous tribe, the Wampanoags, were invited to the first Thanksgiving. Only later would the pilgrims would be taught about cultivation practices by Indigenous people.
According to senate leaders, it is important to keep Native peoples in mind during this time of year as Thanksgiving has often been coupled with violence towards Indigenous communities. For example, in 1676, the head of the Wampanoag leader, Metacom, was severed and sent to a church in Plymouth on Thanksgiving, where it was placed on display on a pole for the next 25 years.
The senate explained that to ensure Indigenous culture’s “survivance” — a term combining the words “survival” and “resilience” often used in Indigenous studies — during this time of year, students can work to embrace Indigenous food, culture and history. They can also learn about and donate to local Indigenous organizations and become aware of the impact of Thanksgiving on Indigenous communities. SGA urged students to introduce the topic to loved ones.
Senate leaders then discussed the answers to a few previously asked questions and made a few announcements. In response to a recent debate about the availability of water across campus, senate leaders noted that facilities are looking into adding more water bottle-filling stations, particularly in residence halls. Further, in response to a comment about the poor internet connection in the basement of 1837 Hall, the senate team commented that they had reached out to LITS. The senate announced that the second round of Newsflush newsletters would soon be distributed.
Following E-Board updates, SGA DEI Officer Shanthini Ragoonaden ’24 explained that part of her job was to bring student voices to the campus DEI committee. Ragoonaden stated she wanted to open the floor to the senators’ concerns.
Nowlin began the discussion by asking if the DEI committee could expand the advertisement surrounding gender-affirming care on campus. Ragoonaden responded she would look into ways the committee could implement this.
The senator for Mead Hall, also a member of the Asian-Pacific Islander-Desi American Community LLC, shared an accessibility concern. Many South Asian students, particularly Muslims, need a hand shower for Wudu, an Islamic washing ritual. However, the student explained that there are none. Ragoonaden promised that she would look into the issue.
The Jewish Student Union representative questioned the accessibility of Eliot House, the interfaith space at MHC. The representative noted steep stairs leading into Eliot House and no elevator. Ragoonden stated that she has taken note of the issue and will be sure to bring it up.
Following other concerns from senators, such as the broken emergency light between Prospect and 1837 Halls, senate dispersed.