10/13/2025
Today, while some recognize Columbus, I choose to honor Indigenous Peoples Day — a day to celebrate the strength, culture, and ongoing contributions of Native communities, and to acknowledge the deep harm caused by colonization.
As a massage therapist and practitioner in the healing space, I begin by reflecting on the roots of my work — the belief that every act of care and connection takes place somewhere, on land that holds deep history and memory.
I acknowledge that the land on which I live and practice is the ancestral and contemporary homeland of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (ᏣᎳᎩᏱ ᏕᏣᏓᏂᎸᎩ, Tsalagiyi Detsadanilvgi) — the original stewards of this region. For thousands of years, the Cherokee have cared for these mountains, rivers, and valleys with deep reciprocity and respect for all living beings. The land was taken through forced removal, broken treaties, and systems of colonization that sought to erase Native people and their ways of life. Yet the Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians endure — vibrant, sovereign, and essential to the story of this place today.
I offer this acknowledgment not as a formality, but as a commitment to ongoing reflection and action. In my practice, I strive to honor the spirit of this land by fostering healing that recognizes interconnectedness, respects all bodies and cultures, and supports justice for Indigenous peoples.
That’s why I’m launching a new initiative:
**Sliding Scale Massage Therapy for EBCI Members**
This program is designed to support members of the EBCI community with flexible pricing that reflects both the value of massage therapy and the economic realities shaped by historical and ongoing inequities.
If you’re not a member of the EBCI, you can still be part of this effort:
* This initiative is supported by full-price sessions, voluntary client contributions, and occasional fundraising.
* Learn more about the land we live on and its original stewards.
ebci.gov (https://www.ebci.gov/)
* Support Native-owned businesses and mutual aid efforts.
bigwitchindianwisdom.org (https://www.bigwitchindianwisdom.org/)
* Choose wellness practices rooted in respect, gratitude, and care for all communities.
Thank you for standing with me in creating a more just and inclusive healing space.
A separate email will be sent soon detailing this program, pricing, and how to schedule appointments. I look forward to working with you!
In solidarity and wellness,
Rachel
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