Shifting Traditions: Alternatives to celebrating "thanksgiving"
Growing up I celebrated Thanksgiving like many of us have and still do. Memories of time with family and leftover turkey sandwiches (my favorite part of the meal) I still hold very dear. I remember our teacher in elementary school having us kids dress up as "pilgrims" and "indians" while we were taught the settler-washed narrative of the federal holiday. I, like many folks, never understood the true history behind "thanksgiving" nor understood the harm it caused celebrating a false narrative of the relationship between Indigenous people and early settler colonists. My father is an enrolled member of Siċaƞġu Lak̇ot̄a Oyate and my mother is non-native. I grew up off reservation with my non-native family, which meant I existed in the same settle-washed spaces and education systems that withheld and twisted narratives to paint the relationship between early settlers and Indigenous people in a positive light.
For many years now, there has been a growing call to shift how we view "thanksgiving". Individuals are becoming more aware of the harm celebrating a false narrative does. What is that false narrative? The article “Uncovering the True History of Thanksgiving” sheds light on the true history of the first “thanksgiving” in 1621 between the Mashpee Wampanoag and colonists, and this video of Wampanoag and Pequot relative Annawon Weeden describes the brutal reality of the 2nd declared “thanksgiving” in 1637, as colonists celebrated the Mystic (or Pequot) massacre.
Awareness is growing of the harmful systems the United States is built on, and we must learn the true history that shapes how those systems continue to cause harm today. With those calls to shift how we view this upcoming federal holiday, folks have also been establishing alternatives to how we can share space on “thanksgiving”.
Understanding the truth around "thanksgiving" does not mean anyone is asking people to choose not to see family or cook amazing food. Realistically, many folks get days off around the holiday and have traditions of gathering and sharing meals with family. These traditions do not need to go away, but being intentional about how they can shift to address the history around the holiday are great steps toward ending the harm that perpetuates from the false narratives we were all taught about this history.
One of the first ways to shift your traditions is to name it for what it is: Truthsgiving, Thankstaking, or Takesgiving. Along with this, I always believe it is important to understand the local history around the land one shares space on. You can find out whose land you share space on here and do the work to learn about what Indigenous Nations exist near you. Once you find out which Indigenous Nations exist near you, seek out those doing work within those Nations, whether it be mutual aid and sovereignty work or makers and artists, and financially support them along with sharing their work on social media and with your own relatives.
Over the past few years, there has also been a growing number of Indigenous-led events on the holiday. Some events are actions and protests to bring attention to Indigenous issues and some are online workshops to learn more about Indigenous history and current issues. There is something for everyone, and taking the time to sit in a learning space or participate in hands-on actions is necessary. Not just one day a year, but every day.
Siċaƞġu Co’s alternative to celebrating "thanksgiving" is Tatanka Trot, a virtual 5k organized to honor Native American Heritage Month and lift the voices of Indigenous People. This run is organized to raise awareness around the history of Indigenous people and create a space where folks can offer solidarity to ongoing Indigenous efforts to reclaim sovereignty.
Relatives gather at our 3rd annual Tatanka Trot. This year included an open mic and market.
I hope every single one of you have safe travels and enjoy space with family, eat amazing food, and take steps to understand truth while lifting up and supporting Indigenous voices and efforts in the process.
Robert Bordeaux
Community Media lead, Siċaƞġu Co
If you'd like to participate in our Tatanka Trot, click here.
In the spirit of supporting Indigenous efforts and organizations, please share this with anyone you think would be interested in learning more about the truth of “thanksgiving”, participating in our Tatanka Trot, or simply interested in the work we do.