Thanksgiving? National Day of Mourning? Which is it?
The short answer is: both.
Let me explain: I remember one of the first history classes I attended in college. I was getting a degree in history and had been interested in the subject since I was a kid and my grandma read me the story of the Pilgrims every year. Something the professor said has stuck with me to this day. He said that history isn’t a single story. In order to understand history, you need to grapple with the different perspectives of the people who lived at that time. The truth is somewhere in that muddle.
The first time I heard about the National Day of Mourning I had no idea what it could be. As I looked for information, I learned that Frank “Wamsutta” James, the leader of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head in 1970, had been asked to speak at the 350th anniversary of the landing of the Mayflower. His speech was cancelled because included in the speech was an acknowledgement of hundreds of years of injustices against his people. Instead, Mr. James gave a modified version of the speech on Thanksgiving of the same year in a public and peaceful demonstration and the National Day of Mourning was born. 1, 2
But, I grew up celebrating Thanksgiving and the Pilgrims and Indians and celebration between cultures. Thanksgiving has been a time to meet with loved ones and friends, share a meal and practice gratitude. How can I reconcile that with the history and oppression of the Native Americans?
David Weeden, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, has a suggestion: “Acknowledging that wrongs have been done is the first part of healing,” Weeden said, “and until wrongs are acknowledged and responsibilities have been taken for those wrongs and injustices, you’re just perpetuating what’s already been done.” 3 And, in the words of Maya Angelou, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” 4
So, what is next?
- Would you like more information about Native Americans?
- Try learning from the Native Americans themselves: https://www.mcnaa.org/public-education-social-change
- From National Geographic: https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/new-england-native-american-groups/
- From Wilmington Memorial Library: https://wilmlibrary.org/dei/indigenous-peoples/indigenous-peoples-organizations-list/
- From Harvard University on Native religion: https://pluralism.org/native-traditions-in-boston
- From the City of Cambridge: https://pluralism.org/native-traditions-in-boston
- Cape Cod Community College Lib Guide: https://capecod.libguides.com/c.php?g=1109948&p=9305888
- A map of Native Tribes: https://native-land.ca/
- From Lincoln Library: https://lincolnpl.org/programs-events/special-online-displays-recorded-programs/native-american-indian-land-history-people/
- Reading list compiled by Native Americans: https://www.firstnations.org/knowledge-center/books/
- Native American Tribes in Massachusetts
- Mashpee Wampanoag: https://mashpeewampanoagtribe-nsn.gov/
- Massachusett: https://massachusetttribe.org/
- Information about Indigenous Peoples’ Day
_______________________________________________________________