The real Thanksgiving

Most Americans are taught that Thanksgiving is where the pilgrims and the Native Americans shared celebratory meal for a successful harvest, whats not often discussed is the truth and the effect it had on many Native Americans… The Mayflower did bring settlers from England and landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621, and they did have a three day feast which was attended by members of the Wampanoag tribes-though there might have been a Turkey or some kind of poultry, but no pie or mashed potatoes, they probably would have had seafood as well as a Wampanoag dish called Nasaump which is basically a porridge made of cornmeal…

Native Americans had been on the land centuries before, and their perspective far predates this feast. The Europeans began coming to what is now known in the US, about four years before the mayflower arrived. they carried foreign illnesses which killed Native Americans at high rates… which made it easier for Europeans to take over land and colonize it and also kidnapped Native Americans into slavery… ..

The new settlers did not invite Native Americans to their feast, Ousamequin, leader of the Wampanoag tribe, declared an alliance with the settlers and created a mutual defense pack, and decided to spend three days together…

From then on Pilgrims , celebrated Thanksgiving, in their own traditional way of fasting and prayer… this happened because of the massacre of native people, in 1637.. Massachusetts governor John Winthrop declared a day of Thanksgiving after Volunteers massacred 700 Pequot people.. This incident is often cited as the first official mention of Thanksgiving… it wasn’t till 1863 President Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November as Thanksgiving.. this had to do with the fact, Lincoln wanted to give thanks after year of deadly battles during the Civil War…

Native Americans celebrate Thanksgiving as a day of morning, with all the genocide, violence and mistreatment and assault on native culture… participants in a national Day of mourning and of spiritual connection, as well as protesting of racism and suppression which Native Americans continue to experience today..

Today most native Americans don’t want to spend the day dwelling on the past Pilgrim/Indian narrative… instead, focus on values that apply to everyone togetherness generosity, and Gratitude and what everyone wants to talk about the food…

This is an indigenous recipe and something more of what would have been eaten and grown on the land…

Recipe

Squash, any kind, acorn, pumpkin, butternut, wild rice, corn, cranberries, and of course, your choice of protein from turkey, lamb, beef, or pork…

Remove all seeds from squash and bake accordingly, combine wild rice, corn, cranberries… Onions and apples, everything is optional, add protein, season with sage salt, pepper, and any other seasoning you wish and add to the baked squash… it’s quite yummy I’ve made this every Thanksgiving 🦃

Try to remember to support our indigenous people by supporting many of their efforts…