Complicated Truths

Thanksgiving. A time for family, gratitude, and awkward dinner conversations. It’s a holiday wrapped in warm, nostalgic imagery—tables laden with food, children tracing turkeys with their hands, and stories of Pilgrims and Native Americans breaking bread in harmonious unity.

But beneath the cozy traditions and sweet potato pie lies a complicated truth: Thanksgiving, as many of us learned it, is a myth—a carefully crafted narrative designed to erase the violent history of colonization, displacement, and genocide that Indigenous peoples endured at the hands of European settlers.

The Myth of the First Thanksgiving

The story most of us grew up with goes something like this:In 1621, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people gathered together for a peaceful feast to celebrate a bountiful harvest and the beginnings of a new friendship. It’s a tale of mutual respect, cooperation, and gratitude.

But history tells a different story. The arrival of European settlers marked the beginning of a devastating era for Indigenous nations. Colonizers brought disease, seized land, and disrupted the cultural, social, and spiritual fabric of Native communities. The so-called "first Thanksgiving" wasn’t a symbol of enduring peace—it was a brief moment in a long and violent history of colonization.

In fact, just years after the 1621 gathering, tensions between the settlers and Indigenous people escalated into bloody conflict, including the Pequot Massacre of 1637, during which hundreds of Pequot men, women, and children were killed. While settlers celebrated their victories with feasts of "thanksgiving," Indigenous communities mourned the loss of life and land.

The Power of False Narratives

So, why do we cling to this idyllic story? Because it’s easier. It allows us to celebrate a national holiday without confronting the uncomfortable realities of our nation’s origins. The myth of Thanksgiving reinforces a narrative of colonization as inevitable and benign, masking the violence and injustice that Indigenous peoples have endured—and continue to endure.

This sanitized version of history allows the dominant culture to avoid accountability and perpetuates a legacy of erasure. It frames colonizers as benevolent and Indigenous peoples as passive participants, ignoring the resistance, resilience, and contributions of Native communities throughout history.

Acknowledging the Truth

Does this mean we should cancel Thanksgiving altogether? Not necessarily. But it does mean we need to approach the holiday with a more critical and compassionate lens. We can honor the spirit of gratitude while also acknowledging the true history of the land we live on and the people who have stewarded it for centuries.

Here are a few ways to do that:

1. Learn the History: Educate yourself and your family about the true history of Thanksgiving and the experiences of Indigenous peoples. Seek out resources created by Native scholars and organizations.

2. Acknowledge the Land: Before gathering for your Thanksgiving meal, take a moment to recognize the Indigenous people whose land you are on. You can use tools like Native Land Digital (native-land.ca) to learn more about the history of your region.

3. Support Indigenous Communities: Donate to Indigenous-led organizations, support Native artists and businesses, and advocate for policies that protect Indigenous rights and sovereignty.

4. Engage in Honest Conversations: Use Thanksgiving as an opportunity to talk with friends and family about the complexities of the holiday. It might be uncomfortable, but it’s a necessary step toward reckoning with our history.

   
   

Reclaiming Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a holiday built on myth and erasure. It can be an opportunity to practice gratitude in a way that is honest, inclusive, and just. We can honor the resilience of Indigenous peoples, reflect on the impact of colonization, and commit to building a future rooted in equity and truth.

So, as we gather around the table this Thanksgiving, may we take time to reflect not just on what you’re thankful for, but on the history that brought us here—and the responsibility we have to ensure that it doesn't get repeated.

Because gratitude and truth are not mutually exclusive.