Expressions from the participants of the Thanksgiving Day Workshop
In honor of The Day Of Mourning
We hosted a Thanksgiving Day Fundraising and Climate Awareness Event
"I was so moved by the Thanksgiving day yoga workshop and sharing circle. Christina and Jackie's wisdom and heartfelt, generous presence were a true gift to experience on a national holiday so fraught with painful history. I left the workshop feeling hopeful about the future and our capacity to heal collectively. I hope that I’m able to join their upcoming retreat at Breitenbush."
"I really appreciated the Thanksgiving morning class and experience and for an opportunity to allow Christina and Jackie's story to be seen and expressed as context for the gathering. I was able to really empathize as a BIPOC community member, and also a greater appreciation for their courageous vulnerability and story telling as to how the holiday marks also the suffering and continued ripples from hardships on the indigenous populations today. I shed many tears, and also found healing that morning. You were a great steward for facilitating the class with loving kindness, emphasis on humility and I harbored such an appreciation for the wishing of vitality from your responsibilities. That has resonated with me ever since, I was able to give in reciprocity for those I was holding space the remainder of the week. So much gratitude, thank you."
"I participated in Sarahjoy's workshop featuring Christina and Jackie from Yakima. It was a re-framed, focused and centering way to bring attention to the Day of Mourning, otherwise known as Thanksgiving Day.
Sarahjoy's careful facilitation of '4 direction' yoga and Christina's heartfelt and clearly expressed sentiments allowed us to experience a transformational morning in body, spirit and mind. Christina and Jackie bravely shared their experience as indigenous people navigating a hegemonic 'illusion' that obscures the devastating history of genocide in this country. It was profoundly impactful and thoughtful.
I reflected on what giving thanks might mean and to whom and found opportunities to move forward through pain into resilience. This was a really beautiful workshop and I am excited to see what further collaborations between Sarahjoy, Christina and Jackie bring."
"I want to thank you, Sarahjoy, and DAYA for bringing Christina and Jackie to our table so to speak on Thanksgiving morning. It was a blessing to receive the authentic passion of their voices and their hearts… to feel the generational suffering while seeing the vision of hope of healing through yoga and other practices of amends and reparations…
I was touched and inspired by their words… I shared my perspective of honoring the tribes who lived before us here in Tillamook, Oregon, with my friends at our toast and blessing that evening, and was thanked by so many for remembering to honor the truth of our history…
I posted an honoring of the Tillamook Tribes on my Thanksgiving FaceBook wishes and felt so grateful to be inspired to share on this day and to find new paths for healing. Thank you Christina, Jackie and Sarahjoy and all in attendance…"
"I was close to tears as Jacki and Christina shed many tears themselves. The sisters helped us feel the devastation their people have experienced. A resounding message from Christina was this “We are still here” Despite so many attempts to destroy their culture, destroy their spirit, leave them by the side of the road to rot…they are thriving. They have survived the devastation. They are buoyed by their ancestors to move forward and make the best of life today. It was truly an inspiring experience to attend the workshop with these women."
Christina White is an Indigenous healer, plant medicine educator, and a certified yoga teacher in training to become a certified yoga therapist.
Jackie White is an Indigenous woman reclaiming her life through the healing tools of her lineage as well as yoga, yoga therapy, mindfulness, and nature. Jackie is training to become a certified yoga therapist.
They are applying to Breitenbush Hot Springs as new presenters for 2023 to lead a weekend retreat for BIPOC and other interested students in Indigenous Healing Medicines, Yoga, Reiki and Plant Medicine.
