By: Kate Rogers, Staff Writer
Thanksgiving is right around the corner and elementary schools around the country are pulling out their turkey themed activities and Native American history lessons. Center pieces made of inedible corn and squash are going to decorate tables in celebration of a legendary coming together of two cultures. But Native Americans aren’t just history lessons, and Thanksgiving isn’t the whole story–or even the true story, depending on who tells it. When they are caught up in the holiday spirit, are people remembering that?
Do they even know?
The first Thanksgiving–though it wasn’t called that, and was not repeated or celebrated as a holiday until decades later–was in 1621. The Wampanoag tribe came together with the pilgrims in Plymouth to celebrate a first successful harvest after the tribe had assisted the pilgrims in growing it. There were at least 140 men present, with women and children not counted in the primary sources. They ate venison, not turkey and certainly not pumpkin pie. The three day event did symbolise peace between the two groups of people, and the peace did continue on afterwards.
But only for about 10 years. More settlers came to America and a plague brought with them wiped out nearly half of the Native population. There was grave robbing, treaty-breaking and mass-murder by English settlers. This animosity continued well into the 20th century, with Native American land being claimed and stomped over with little regard. The Native Americans were eventually funneled into reservations and left with only small fractions of what they once had, and with their population severely depleted. Even today, reservations on average are some of the poorest areas in the country because it is so difficult to achieve economic growth.
Most Native Americans today see Thanksgiving as a day of remembrance and mourning. To others, like Jacqueline Keeler, a member of the Dineh Nation and the Yankton Dakota Sioux, it is a celebration of survival. Keeler told Time Magazine for an article about the true origins of the holiday, “Thanksgiving tells a story that is convenient for Americans…I recognize it as a chance for my family to come together as survivors, pretty much in defiance.”
According to the website for the Manataka American Indian Council, the “contemporary mix of myth and history about the “First” Thanksgiving at Plymouth developed in the 1890s and early 1900s. Our country was desperately trying to pull together its many diverse peoples into a common national identity.” Like a lot of public views on Native American history, Thanksgiving is a glossy romanticized version of the story meant to represent America’s diversity and supposed inclusivity.
For a long time, the American education system taught very little about the atrocities committed against Native Americans. Generally, it focuses on the ‘good’ parts. Kids learn about Squanto, who helped create an alliance between settlers and the Pokanoket tribe. They learn about how Native Americans helped the early pilgrims by teaching them how to plant corn and working alongside them. They learn about Sacagawea who helped Lewis and Clark, and watch the Disney movie Pocahontas (which is not in any way historically accurate). Topics like the Trail of Tears were touched upon, but not much else was required. Problems with Native Americans were discussed as a thing of the past.
Thanks to mass-media, Native Americans have been in the public eye lately. The Dakota Access Pipeline protests started conversation about respect for Native American land. Bernie Sanders during his campaign made a point to give voice to Native American activists. Viral speeches from activists spread awareness of America’s history of breaking treaties with Native Americans and the existence of sacred land that was taken and never returned. Lies perpetuated by tradition are being spoken out against, like the calling for Columbus day to be Indigenous People’s day. Teachers are becoming more aware and trying to teach Thanksgiving more accurately and respectfully. More and more, Native American voices are being heard.
But every November, Americans stuff themselves and watch Punkin Chunkin on the science channel and go Black Friday shopping and many of us still forget two very important things. The first: that Native American blood was spilled in order for the civilization that allows us this decadence to come into being. The second: that Native Americans are still marginalized communities in America, still real people who still hold true to their culture and traditions and are not just a caricature or gaudy decoration.
In conclusion, this is not all to say that Thanksgiving shouldn’t be celebrated. The season and the holiday are a good opportunity for remembrance and respect. Take time to learn about your fellow citizens and your nation’s history, connect with those around you, and have a wonderful holiday.