Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Misconceptions
- Commonly perceived as a day of sharing between pilgrims and Native Americans.
- Historically inaccurate portrayal; the first Thanksgiving was a celebration after a massacre.
Historical Context
- First Thanksgiving occurred in 1637, not 1621.
- It was declared a day of Thanksgiving by Massachusetts Bay Colony governor John Winthrop after the massacre of the Pequot people.
- About 100 Pequot men, women, and children were killed in Mystic, Connecticut.
Lincoln and Thanksgiving
- Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving an official holiday in the United States.
- Noteworthy for stripping land from Native Americans for settlers and overseeing the largest mass execution in U.S. history (38 Dakota members).
Respectful Celebrations
- Encouraged to acknowledge the historical context of Thanksgiving.
- Suggestions include starting meals with a land acknowledgment.

Research and Awareness
- Utilize resources like native-land.ca or the "Whose Land" app to identify whose land you're on.
- Educate oneself on Native American groups and causes; consider supporting them through donations.
Support Native Communities
- Promote Native American activists, authors, and chefs.
- Stay informed about current issues facing Native Americans.
Systemic Inequities
- Native Americans face significant disparities:
  - They have the lowest median income among racial/ethnic groups.
  - MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) crisis is prevalent.
  - Many live in food deserts and lack access to clean water.
  - Unequal access to health and mental health services.
Thanksgiving as a Day of Mourning
- Recognize Thanksgiving as a day to remember and mourn for Native American history and their ongoing struggles.