Thanksgiving

The Weight of History, The Strength of Resilience: An Indigenous Perspective on Thanksgiving and Colonial Narratives

For many, Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude, family, and feasting. But for Indigenous peoples, it is also a time of reflection—on history, on survival, and on the resilience woven into our very being. The dominant narrative of Thanksgiving, which paints a peaceful and mutual gathering between Pilgrims and Indigenous peoples, is an incomplete and sanitized version of history that erases the pain and struggles our ancestors endured.

Growing up, I remember the conflicting emotions this season brought. In school, we were taught a version of history that glorified the arrival of settlers while ignoring the suffering that followed. We made construction paper headdresses and traced our hands to make turkeys, unaware of the deeper meaning this holiday carried for my family and my people. At home, my elders shared a different story—the real story. They spoke of broken treaties, of lands stolen and bodies buried, of ancestors who fought to keep traditions alive despite efforts to erase them.

The weight of this history is something every Indigenous person carries. I have seen firsthand the intergenerational trauma that continues to ripple through our communities—the loss of language, the struggles with poverty and systemic oppression, the families torn apart by colonial policies that still affect us today. But I have also witnessed incredible resilience, the kind that refuses to be silenced. We are still here. We are reclaiming our identities, our voices, and our future.

Understanding the True History

The story of Thanksgiving is often told as a feel-good narrative, but the truth is far more complex. When settlers arrived on Turtle Island, they were met with hospitality, knowledge, and generosity from the Indigenous peoples who had stewarded these lands for thousands of years. But instead of fostering lasting partnerships, colonization brought disease, violence, and the systematic erasure of our cultures. Land theft, forced removals, and massacres followed. The Wampanoag, who are often depicted as welcoming dinner guests in Thanksgiving myths, suffered from these betrayals almost immediately.

It is crucial to recognize that history is not just something of the past—it is still shaping the present. The impacts of colonization can be seen in the lack of clean drinking water in First Nations communities, the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), the disproportionate incarceration of Indigenous people, and the continuous fight for land rights and sovereignty.

Resilience Through Understanding and Action

Despite these hardships, our communities continue to resist and thrive. Indigenous leaders, knowledge keepers, and activists are working tirelessly to reclaim our traditions, protect our lands, and ensure future generations inherit a world where they are not just surviving, but thriving.

Understanding the truth about Thanksgiving is one small but necessary step toward reconciliation and justice. Non-Indigenous allies can take action by:

·        Educating themselves on Indigenous history and present-day realities.

·        Supporting Indigenous-owned businesses, artists, and initiatives.

·        Advocating for policies that uphold Indigenous sovereignty and land rights.

·        Donating to organizations that support Indigenous communities.

·        Acknowledging the land they live on and learning about its original caretakers.

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My Personal Journey: From Struggle to Strength

I have faced my own battles—navigating a world that often seeks to diminish Indigenous voices. I have been spoken over in spaces meant for our stories, witnessed racism in healthcare and education, and struggled with systems that were never built for us. But I have also found healing in community, in ceremony, in the laughter of children learning their first words in our language, in the strength of women leading movements, and in the unwavering love of our elders who carry stories of survival in their hearts.

Each time I face a barrier; I remind myself that my existence is an act of resistance. My voice, my presence, and my advocacy are threads in the fabric of our collective resilience. And I am not alone. Our people are rising, reclaiming, and rebuilding—brick by brick, word by word, land by land.

Moving Forward

This season, as many gather around their tables, I ask that you take a moment to reflect on the full history of this land. Honor the strength of Indigenous peoples not just with words, but with action. Educate, advocate, and amplify our voices. Because the truth is not just ours to carry—it is all of ours to share.

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