What Does Thanksgiving Mean to Native Americans?
There are always two sides to a story. Unfortunately, when it comes to the history of Thanksgiving, generations of Americans have been taught a one-sided history in homes and schools.
The dominant cultural and historical story has been told from the perspective of the white colonialists who landed near Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts in 1620. In this version of the Thanksgiving story, the holiday commemorates the peaceful, friendly meeting of English settlers and the Wampanoag tribe for three days of feasting and thanksgiving in 1621.
Every year, news outlets and social media are a-buzz with Thanksgiving themes. There is little coverage of the fact that November is Native American Heritage Month or that November 23rd, known to most as Black Friday, is.
The mainstream version of the Thanksgiving story paints a picture of courageous, Christian settlers, braving the perils of the New World and with the help of some friendly Natives, finding a way to make a new life for themselves. In the days around Thanksgiving, many teachers focus on this happy story, helping students make American Indian headdresses out of construction paper and holding Thanksgiving reenactments in their classrooms.
Very few teachers realize that construction headdresses and school re-enactments create a lump stereotype that Native Americans all wear the same regalia. These school activities also encourage young students to think it is okay to wear culture as a costume. This makes it hard for students to recognize the diversity of Native American tribes and makes students believe it's okay to mimic Native American traditional wear, without having an understanding of its spiritual significance.
Very few about the that took place in the years that followed. They also do not mention that and stole food from them in order to survive during their first years on this new continent.
Here's a look at some of the reasons why Thanksgiving is a complex holiday, and one that all Americans should approach with greater sensitivity.
Thanksgiving Is a Day of Mourning for Some Native Tribes
It's important to know that for many Native Americans, Thanksgiving is a day of mourning and protest since it commemorates the arrival of settlers in North America and the centuries of oppression and genocide that followed.
For the last 51 years, they have organized a rally and day of mourning on Thanksgiving. Here's what they have to say about this choice to mourn:
"Thanksgiving day is a reminder of the genocide of millions of Native people, the theft of Native lands, and the relentless assault on Native culture. 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."
Some Native Americans mourn publicly and openly, while some simply refrain from participating in this national holiday.
Thanksgiving is Already a Way of Life for Native Americans
While some Native Americans have chosen to reject the Thanksgiving holiday entirely, many embrace the positive messages of the holiday and choose to put aside thoughts about the complex history of this day.
This is because the idea of giving thanks is central to Native heritage and culture, and in this way, Thanksgiving is simply a chance to appreciate the good things of life like family, community, and the riches of the land. Long before settlers arrived, and the gift of Mother Earth's abundance. Native American spirituality, both traditionally and today, emphasizes gratitude for creation, care for the environment, and recognition of the.
Thanksgiving as a holiday originates from the Native American philosophy of giving without expecting anything in return. In the first celebration of this holiday, the Wampanoag tribe not only provided the food for the feast, but also the teachings of agriculture and hunting (corn, beans, wild rice, and turkey are some specific examples of foods introduced by Native Americans).
Now, regardless of the origin of the day, many Native Americans will gather with friends and family and use the day to eat good food (many of the classic Thanksgiving dishes are inspired by indigenous foods) and give thanks.
Thanksgiving Reflections Assignment
Directions: Write a three paragraph reflection based on this reading.
Paragraph 1: In your own words provide a summary of the reading.
Paragraph 2: Express your thoughts and feelings on how Native Americans have been treated in this country
Paragraph 3: What does thanksgiving mean to you?
Thanksgiving isn't all what it seems. Little know about the origin of Thanksgiving, nor its original purpose. It was created to mourn the lives of the late Native Americans that were killed in genocide that occured when the settlers in North American arrived. Thanksgiving is often built off stereotypes, or as the passage puts it, "the holiday commemorates the peaceful, friendly meeting of English settlers and the Wampanoag tribe for three days of feasting and thanksgiving in 1621." Which while being mostly true, isn't the full story. The meaning of Thanksgiving was and still is about the philosophy of giving and receiving nothing in return. Giving thanks. This is what Thanksgiving is supposed to be.
Native Americans have not been treated well in this country. Well, as in the US and in the past, that is. The mass genocides that occured are devastating and something that deserves to be talked about more. Instead of boring politics, someone should bring up the origin of this holiday that we overlook so much. I don't blame the modern Natives for not celebrating Thanksgiving whatsoever, I understand that. But it still needs to be acknowledged nonetheless. We have tainted the meaning of this holiday, by covering up the damage by stereotyping Native Americans, such as making us think that all Native Americans look the same, the fact that this holiday is oh so friendly. Let's be honest here. Do some research, you'll see that the origins of these holiday's aren't so family friendly. Hell, why do we celebrate Columbus day again? Celebrating his "discovery" of America even though his arrival decimated the population of native people! I'm just tired of heritages getting ignored and not getting the attention they deserve. So no, they have not been treated right, and I'm concerned whether or not they are being treated right today.
What Thanksgiving means to me, is the celebration of family, life, and everything in between. Thanksgiving is a time to reminisce on the good old days. Thanksgiving is a time where you give thanks to your family and friends. Thanksgiving is a time where you cherish the limited time that you have left on this earth. Thanksgiving is a time where you live in the moment. Thanksgiving is love. Thanksgiving is life. Thanksgiving is now. That's what Thanksgiving means to me.
