“The antidote to feel-good history is not feel-bad history, but honest and inclusive history”
James W. Loewen, “Plagues & Pilgrims: The Truth about the First Thanksgiving”
While Thanksgiving brings images of turkey, football, and family gatherings, it's not a simple celebration for everyone. As an Indigenous person, this holiday evokes a mix of emotions for me. I do enjoy the extra time off, the chance to catch up with loved ones, football, and the Macy’s Day Parade. But Thanksgiving also marks a period of profound loss and historical trauma for Native people.
It's important to acknowledge that this holiday represents the beginning of colonization, the dispossession of Indigenous lands, and the erasure of our cultures. It's a day that can bring up feelings of grief and anger, alongside the joy of spending time with family and friends.
This year, I'm choosing to spend Thanksgiving with my loved ones, sharing a meal and reflecting on the true history of this holiday. I'm grateful for my parents, my rock, who love this day with all their hearts. My mother is a fantastic cook, and while I bring my tofurkey, she’ll be making her delicious sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing and rolls.
I'm thankful for my friends and family, my close-knit community that provides unwavering support. And of course, I'm thankful for my furry companions, who bring endless laughter and joy to my life.
I recognize that there is no single "Indigenous experience" of Thanksgiving. We all have a wide range of emotions and perspectives. Some may choose to ignore the holiday completely, while others may find ways to reclaim and redefine it. I'm choosing to acknowledge the complexity of this day, to honor my ancestors, and to celebrate the resilience of Indigenous peoples.
If you're interested in learning more about Indigenous perspectives on Thanksgiving, here are a few resources:
National Museum of the American Indian: This Smithsonian museum offers a wealth of information about Native American history and culture, including resources specifically about Thanksgiving. Their website has articles, videos, and educational materials that challenge the traditional Thanksgiving story.
Check out their "Rethinking Thanksgiving" page: https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/informational/rethinking-thanksgiving
Wampanoag Indian Thanksgiving Story by Lindsay McVay (via the Smithsonian
National Museum of the American Indian. https://ospi.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/2023-10/peunit3wampanoagindianthanksgiving.pdf
"This Land Is Their Land" by David J. Silverman: This book offers a historical account of the Wampanoag people and their interactions with the English settlers, challenging the traditional narrative of Thanksgiving.
"An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz: This book provides a comprehensive history of the United States from an Indigenous perspective, including the impact of colonization and the ongoing struggles of Native peoples.
However you choose to spend this day, I hope it's filled with meaning and reflection, and maybe less politics.
NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING - Transcription
Since 1970, Native Americans have gathered at noon on Cole's Hill in Plymouth to commemorate a National Day or Mourning on the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. Many Native Americans do not celebrate the arrival of the Pilgrims and other European settlers. To them, Thanksgiving Day is a reminder of the genocide of millions of their people, the theft of their lands, and the relentless assault on their cultures. Participants in National Day of Mourning honor Native ancestors and the struggles of Native peoples to survive today. It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection as well as a protest of the racism and oppression which Native Americans continue to experience.
Erected by the Town of Plymouth on behalf of the United American Indians of New England
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