Thanksgiving is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the United States, often marked by family gatherings, feasts, and expressions of gratitude. For many, it is a day to reflect on the blessings of the past year, enjoy time with loved ones, and indulge in traditional foods like turkey and pumpkin pie. However, not everyone in America celebrates Thanksgiving. While millions of people embrace the holiday, some individuals, families, and communities choose to forgo the festivities for various reasons.
This article explores the complex and nuanced reasons why some people, particularly among Native American communities, do not observe Thanksgiving. It considers the historical roots of the holiday, its cultural impact, and the ongoing debates surrounding its celebration. We will examine the experiences of Native Americans, the effects of colonialism, the ongoing struggles for justice and recognition, and the broader implications of how Thanksgiving is perceived today.
The Historical Context: The Origins of Thanksgiving
The story of Thanksgiving, as commonly understood, is rooted in a narrative of peace and cooperation between the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony and the Wampanoag people in the early 17th century. The traditional story often describes a feast in 1621, where the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag shared food and celebrated a successful harvest. This image of harmony has been deeply ingrained in American popular culture and education, with depictions of the holiday focusing on unity, cooperation, and gratitude.
However, this narrative is oversimplified and leaves out significant historical complexities, particularly the impact of European colonization on indigenous peoples. Many Native Americans view the Thanksgiving story not as a symbol of cooperation but as a reminder of the beginning of centuries of violence, land theft, and cultural erasure.
The Wampanoag and Early Colonization
The Wampanoag people, the primary Native American group involved in the first Thanksgiving, were deeply affected by European colonization. The arrival of the Pilgrims in 1620 was part of a broader trend of European settlers establishing colonies across the Americas, often at the expense of indigenous populations. The Wampanoag, who had already been exposed to European diseases, were decimated by epidemics before they even made contact with the Pilgrims.
While the Thanksgiving narrative presents a moment of peaceful interaction, the years following were marked by growing tensions, broken treaties, and violent conflicts. The Wampanoag leader, Massasoit, initially chose to ally with the Pilgrims, hoping that it would protect his people from the encroachment of European settlers. However, the alliance did not prevent the colonizers from expanding their settlements at the expense of indigenous lands, leading to further displacement and violence.
The Legacy of Colonialism and Displacement
In the years that followed the first Thanksgiving, Native American communities across the continent were subjected to colonization, forced removal, and genocide. The impact of European settlement on indigenous cultures and populations was profound and devastating. Native Americans were forced to abandon their traditional ways of life, including their land, language, and spiritual practices. For many Native American families, Thanksgiving is not just a celebration of historical events, but a painful reminder of the violence and cultural destruction caused by European settlers.
The forced relocation of indigenous peoples, the breaking of treaties, and the violent suppression of Native American culture are all parts of the broader colonial legacy that continues to shape Native American experiences today. For some, celebrating Thanksgiving is seen as participating in the glorification of this painful history.
The Impact on Native American Communities
Thanksgiving as a Day of Mourning
For many Native Americans, particularly those involved in the National Day of Mourning, Thanksgiving is not a day of celebration, but one of reflection and protest. The United American Indians of New England (UAINE) initiated the first National Day of Mourning in 1970, urging Native Americans and allies to recognize the day as a time to remember the suffering caused by colonization. Since then, the observance has become an annual event held in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where the Pilgrims first landed.
On National Day of Mourning, Native Americans and their supporters gather to remember the genocide, forced relocation, and cultural erasure of indigenous peoples. The event is not just about historical grievances; it is also a call for recognition and justice for contemporary Native American communities facing systemic inequalities. The day includes speeches, cultural performances, and solidarity events, providing a space for indigenous voices to be heard and for the public to engage with the ongoing struggles that many Native American nations face.
For these communities, the celebration of Thanksgiving can feel like an act of erasure, dismissing the ongoing impacts of colonization and the struggles of indigenous peoples today. They argue that until Native Americans are granted full recognition, respect, and reparations for the harms done to their ancestors, Thanksgiving should not be viewed as a time for universal celebration.
The Psychological and Emotional Toll
For many Native Americans, the cultural appropriation and commercialization of Thanksgiving have a psychological and emotional impact. The iconic images of Pilgrims and Native Americans sitting together at the table can feel like a forced and inaccurate portrayal of their relationship. Rather than acknowledging the violence and trauma that ensued in the wake of European colonization, these images often romanticize the past and obscure the true history.
Additionally, for families that have experienced generational trauma due to historical policies like the Indian Removal Act, boarding schools designed to erase indigenous culture, and ongoing struggles with poverty and marginalization, the forced celebration of Thanksgiving can evoke painful memories. The holiday may serve as a reminder of the struggles their ancestors endured and the systemic inequalities that continue to affect Native communities today.
The Broader Debate: Thanksgiving and the Politics of Memory
While the historical and emotional reasons for not celebrating Thanksgiving are particularly salient for Native Americans, the debate over the holiday’s significance also engages broader questions about how societies remember history and the politics of memory.
Historical Amnesia and National Myths
In the United States, the mainstream narrative of Thanksgiving has been shaped by historical amnesia—a selective forgetting of inconvenient or uncomfortable truths. This version of Thanksgiving ignores the complex realities of colonization and the impact on Native American communities. Instead, the focus is often placed on the idealized image of pilgrims and indigenous peoples coming together in harmony.
For many, the refusal to celebrate Thanksgiving stems from the belief that this narrative perpetuates a harmful myth. By celebrating Thanksgiving without acknowledging the atrocities of colonization, the United States continues to perpetuate historical myths that serve to obscure the nation’s violent past. This whitewashed version of American history minimizes the significance of indigenous cultures and the historical injustices they have faced.
The Call for Reparations and Justice
The refusal to celebrate Thanksgiving is also a call for reparations and justice for Native American communities. In recent years, there has been growing support for efforts to address the long-standing injustices faced by indigenous peoples in the United States. This includes calls for land acknowledgments, financial reparations, and greater political recognition.
For many, Thanksgiving represents a moment to reflect on the ongoing struggle for Native American rights. Rather than accepting the holiday as a given, these individuals argue that Thanksgiving should be an opportunity for the nation to reckon with its past and begin the process of healing and reconciliation. This healing process involves not only the acknowledgment of past wrongs but also concrete steps to address the systemic inequalities that continue to affect Native communities today.
Alternatives to Thanksgiving: Creating New Traditions
For those who choose not to celebrate Thanksgiving, there are alternative ways to mark the season that reflect indigenous values, culture, and history. These alternatives often focus on themes of gratitude, community, and environmental stewardship, values that are deeply embedded in many indigenous cultures.
Indigenous Harvest Celebrations
Many Native American communities have their own harvest festivals and celebrations that are rooted in their unique cultural traditions. These celebrations are often centered around honoring the land, acknowledging the interconnectedness of all life, and giving thanks for the abundance provided by the earth. Unlike Thanksgiving, these harvest celebrations are not tied to colonial history but reflect indigenous worldviews that emphasize respect for nature and community well-being.
For example, the Iroquois people have a celebration known as the “Thanksgiving Address” (also called the “Words Before All Else”), which expresses gratitude for the natural world and all living beings. This ceremony emphasizes interconnectedness and the importance of maintaining harmony with nature. Similarly, many tribes have harvest festivals that coincide with the harvest season, focusing on communal feasting, spiritual rituals, and cultural practices.
The National Day of Mourning
The National Day of Mourning, observed annually in Plymouth, Massachusetts, by Native American groups, provides a space for indigenous peoples to honor their ancestors, reflect on their struggles, and demand justice. This event is a powerful reminder of the ongoing resistance against colonialism and the fight for Native American rights. For many, participating in the National Day of Mourning is an important alternative to the celebration of Thanksgiving, as it allows for the public acknowledgment of indigenous struggles and the sharing of indigenous perspectives.
Conclusion: A Day of Reflection and Action
While Thanksgiving is a holiday that many Americans celebrate with family gatherings and expressions of gratitude, for some, it represents a painful reminder of the violence and trauma inflicted upon Native American communities by European colonization. The refusal to celebrate Thanksgiving is an act of resistance, a call for justice, and a demand for the recognition of the historical and ongoing struggles faced by indigenous peoples.
Rather than simply rejecting Thanksgiving, many Native Americans and their allies are calling for a deeper reflection on the nation’s history. They advocate for a more honest and inclusive conversation about the past, one that acknowledges the harms of colonization and works toward a future of healing and reconciliation. Through events like the National Day of Mourning and the promotion of indigenous cultural practices, these communities are forging new traditions rooted in justice, respect, and the honoring of their ancestors.
By listening to the voices of Native Americans and embracing a more nuanced understanding of history, we can begin to reshape the conversation around Thanksgiving and move toward a future of greater understanding, respect, and solidarity. Only through this process can we ensure that Thanksgiving becomes a day of genuine reflection, healing, and gratitude for all people.
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