Thanksgiving -Myth or Truth?
Investigating the First Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a national holiday that will be celebrated on November 26. There are many myths about this holiday. The original Thanksgiving was probably a harvest festival and was likely held in October. Wampanoag tribal members did attend and food was shared. Without the assistance of the Wampanoag tribal members, the early colonists would not have survived.
Plimoth Plantation has created an online game that puts you right in the middle of the "First Thanksgiving." Click here to enter the interactive exhibit: You Are the Historian: Investigating the First Thanksgiving. (Plimoth Plantation and Scholastic)
Listen to Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving by Joseph Bruchac.
Native Communities
Native nations have always lived closely to nature and they recognize the daily gifts of food through ceremonies, songs, prayers and dances. The six nations of the Haudenosaunee or Iroquois of New York state and Southeatern Canada read the Thanksgiving Address daily. It is sometimes called the words "that come before all else." The full copy is here.
Here is an excerpt: "with one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the gardens. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped people survive. Many living thing draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods Together as one and send them a greeting of thanks." Haudensaunee Thanksgiving Address
Learn about the Wampanoag
What are some facts you have learned? Did you know that Wampanoag tribal members are living today?
Map of Native Nations
Click on the map above to watch a video with directions about Native Land Digital which is a searchable map of current land and indigenous origins. Then, click here to go to Native Land Digital to explore on your own.