14 October 2024

Today marks different things for different people, with varied holidays recognized across the US and amongst our neighbors. It’s a day to reflect on and celebrate the richness that racial diversity brings to our culture.

As we commemorate the adventurous spirit of an Italian explorer, let’s also honor the resilience and heritage of the native peoples who have long inhabited this land.

Wishing you a day of thankfulness, compassion, and community.

The Three Sisters—corn, beans, and squash—are a traditional Native American planting technique that symbolizes the power of diversity and cooperation. Each plant supports the others: the corn provides a sturdy stalk for the beans to climb, the beans enrich the soil with nitrogen, and the squash covers the ground, preventing weeds and retaining moisture. Like the Three Sisters, when we embrace diversity and work together, our strengths complement and uplift one another, creating a thriving, interconnected community where everyone can grow.