Don’t forget! Thanksgiving is a Time to Remember Indigenous People too.

This blog is adapted from a web search, and I am sure that there are many details missing.  My goal is not to be seen as an expert, only someone who takes time to show gratitude for Indigenous people and those lost in the struggle.   I welcome your thoughts and additional references to complete the story below.

With Thanksgiving coming later this month, I want to take a moment to remind us all of the history of this holiday is so that we can be mindful as we celebrate.  

The history of Thanksgiving

The history of Thanksgiving in the United States is often told through a narrow lens, focusing on a celebratory feast between Pilgrims and Native Americans in 1621. However, centering Indigenous people in this story details a more complex and truthful perspective that acknowledges their vital role and the consequences of colonization. Because I am not an Indigenous woman, I am not the best person to tell thier story, but I do believe that we must take time to give thanks to them for teaching us how to be better stewards of land and not take more than what we need.

Indigenous Harvest Festivals

Before the European colonizers arrived, Indigenous peoples across the Americas held harvest celebrations and ceremonies honoring the Earth, changing seasons, and their interdependent relationship with the natural world. Indigenous peoples’ seasonal events were rooted in giving thanks and gratitude for the abundance of crops, as well as the spiritual connection between land, community, and sustenance. Wouldn’t it be great if more people were connected to thier food, how it is grown, and celebrating with a festival to give thanks?

Tribes such as the Wampanoag, those who would later encounter the Pilgrims, practiced these traditions long before any European settlers arrived.  These people lived in what is now Massachusetts and Rhode Island and were an agricultural society, growing the "Three Sisters"—corn, beans, and squash—central to their diet. They, like many other Indigenous groups, had seasonal celebrations to give thanks for a successful harvest.

The "First Thanksgiving"

When the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth, they struggled to survive their first harsh winter. Many colonizers died of starvation, and it was only through the help of the Wampanoag people that they were able to survive. Squanto aka Tisquantum, a member of the Patuxet tribe, played a vital role in this survival. After having been captured and enslaved by European explorers years before, Squanto learned English and returned to his homeland, where he became a mediator between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag.

In 1621, the Wampanoag leader, Massasoit, and about 90 of his people shared a three-day feast with the Pilgrims. This gathering is often romanticized as the "First Thanksgiving," but it is important to recognize that this was not a symbolic moment of unity between cultures. The Wampanoag's participation was rooted in a complex relationship of survival and diplomacy, not just goodwill. They had recently suffered devastating losses due to European-introduced diseases, and they sought to create an alliance with the colonizers as a way to protect themselves from rival tribes.

The Impact of Colonization

The period following the 1621 feast was marked by conflict and violence as more European settlers arrived and pushed into Native peoples’ lands. Peace between the Wampanoag and the settlers did not last. Over several decades, Indigenous peoples faced the loss of their lands, broken treaties, and violent suppression. By the late 1600s, King Philip’s War (1675-1676), a conflict between Indigenous tribes in New England and the English settlers, resulted in thousands of deaths, including many Wampanoag people. The war ended in a brutal losses for the Native population, leading to further displacement, land loss, and suffering.

Reframing Thanksgiving

For many Native Americans, Thanksgiving is a reminder of the devastating effects of colonization, including the loss of land, culture, and lives. In 1970, on the 350th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ arrival, Indigenous activists began observing the National Day of Mourning in Plymouth, Massachusetts, as a way to honor their ancestors and highlight the resistance to the dominant story that erases the violence of colonization.

Today, some Indigenous people still hold ceremonies of gratitude for the earth's bounty during this time, but they are keenly aware of the colonial history tied to the holiday. A growing movement advocates for recognition of Native perspectives, urging a more comprehensive understanding of Thanksgiving that centers Indigenous survival, resilience, and ongoing contributions. 

During this holiday season, join others in the Food Indy Community in learning which Indigenous people live(d) where they currently live and what is something unique about them. Do a quick search and let me know what you’ve learned. 

Moving Forward

Acknowledging the truth of Thanksgiving's history calls for more recognition of Indigenous sovereignty and a commitment to repairing the harm of colonialism. By centering the voices and experiences of Native peoples, we can honor their traditions, while also addressing the legacy of colonial violence that continues to impact Indigenous communities today.

Thanksgiving is an excellent time to strengthen your nature based activities, like a sit spot, honor the Earth and the start a tradition of giving thanks this season as Indigenous peoples have done for thousands of years. (And yes, every day, in all seasons, because there is never too much gratitude for the Earth’s abundance.)  It can also serve as a moment of reflection on how to support Native communities and work towards a more just and inclusive future.

So, this Thanksgiving, remember to give thanks for knowing more of the story.