National Day of Mourning 2021
This post is a brief recognition of National Day of Mourning.
On this Thanksgiving holiday, we would be remiss not to mention National Day of Mourning. Thanksgiving has been celebrated and taught to school children as the origin story of what would later become the United States, but for many Native Americans, Thanksgiving Day is a reminder of the slaughter of millions of Indigenous people and the theft of their lands by outsiders.
National Day of Mourning is an ongoing reminder of the democide and suffering of Native American people. One of the goals of this observance is the education of the general public about the real history of Thanksgiving. By learning about history, donating your time and money, joining social justice advocacy groups, and supporting Native American owned businesses, you can help make this time more inclusive, both this year and in the future.
Learn more about the National Day of Mourning on the UAINE website.
No matter what expression of this time you and your family share, we hope you enjoy a relaxing and reflective holiday.
BUILD thanks its fiscal sponsor, TSNE MissionWorks, for its acknowledgement of National Day of Mourning.
Explore More
Leading an Early Childhood Team Through the Quality Improvement Process
Article October 7, 2026
Published in Young Children, this 2024 article provides an operational guide for aligning state QIS requirements with broader national standards, quality grants, and staff incentives.
Much-Needed Changes in Child Care Quality Rating and Improvement Systems Should Promote Equity
Blog October 7, 2026
Blog authors Gina Adams and Danielle Ewen outline systemic flaws in traditional models. This 2024 blog details how traditional QRIS frameworks often inadequately support parents, underinvest in actual center improvement, and inadvertently exacerbate funding inequalities among diverse childcare providers.
Four Trends in Early Care and Education Quality Rating and Improvement Systems
Fact Sheet October 7, 2026
This 2024 brief evaluates Parent Aware (Minnesota's system) and synthesizes interviews across six states (Delaware, Louisiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Washington). It identifies critical, modern pathways for administrators looking to overhaul and redesign state frameworks.