Coyote Mentoring Core Routines: Thanksgiving
What It Is—and Why It Matters
Thanksgiving, in the tradition of Coyote Mentoring, is the daily practice of expressing gratitude—for life, for the land, for the relationships that sustain us. It is not about holiday rituals or manners; it is about cultivating what Coyote’s Guide calls a “heart of appreciation.” This practice roots learners in humility and connection. It opens their senses and awareness through the lens of gratitude.
In the book, Thanksgiving is presented as a foundational cultural element—not a technique, but a way of life. It reminds us that connection is not just about noticing, but about honoring. Starting a day with “what are you thankful for?” shifts awareness, builds empathy, and lays the foundation for peacemaking and presence.
This core routine matters because it works from the inside out. Gratitude transforms how we see. It softens fear. It strengthens relationship. It invites generosity. The practice is simple: speak, sing, or silently offer thanks. But the effect is profound. When learners give thanks to a tree, a bird, a sunset, or a person, they step into reciprocity. And from that reciprocity, the deeper layers of nature connection begin to grow.
What It Might Look Like
The day begins in a circle.
Before activity or movement, the mentor opens: “What are you grateful for this morning?” One child says, “The deer that came to the edge of my Sit Spot.” Another says, “The way the fog touched the spiderweb.” There is laughter. Silence. And something settles. The tone of the day shifts.
Gratitude is woven into the moment.
A fire is lit, and someone thanks the wood. A wild edible is harvested, and a small offering is left behind. After a game, a learner shouts “Thank you, forest!” This is not required—it’s natural. Because giving thanks is modeled, it becomes habit. The land becomes not background, but kin.
Hard moments still include thanks.
Even when the rain comes early or the group is tired, a mentor may say, “I’m thankful for the warmth of our bodies, for the way you’re still showing up.” Thanksgiving doesn’t erase difficulty—it meets it with resilience. The practice becomes a source of strength.
Gratitude becomes a worldview.
Over time, learners shift from taking to relating. They see gifts everywhere: in the wings of a hawk, the quiet of dusk, the kindness of a friend. Thanksgiving is not a pause in the day—it is the undercurrent. And in that current, connection deepens, not just with nature—but with life.