Association on American Indian Affairs

Henderson House, the only all-female cooperative house on campus at the University of Michigan, hosts an annual Thanksgiving dinner, in which our residents prepare diverse, home-cooked dishes for each other, alumni, and university staff and supporters.

While Thanksgiving is commonly framed as a time of unity and thankfulness, it is crucial to recognize the dark historical context that includes the dispossession and marginalization of Indigenous peoples. We want to take advantage of our celebration by participating in a fundraiser supporting the Association on American Indian Affairs. For 102 years, AAIA has sought to protect Native American sovereignty, steering the US government away from its assimilation and allotment efforts and helping push important legislation like the Indian Child Welfare Act and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. You can learn more about their programs, aimed at preserving Native cultures, promoting educational initiatives, and advocating for the rights of American Indian communities, on their website.

The residents of Henderson House hope to raise $1,000 for AAIA this Thanksgiving season. Thank you for joining us in this important endeavor!