Ever since 1621, Thanksgiving has been one of the most celebrated holidays in America. Through the years, Thanksgiving has increased its scale from an individual colony festival to a national celebration first declared by president Lincolm during the Civil War. 

Though many still believe in the historical accuracy of the origin of Thanksgiving, the historical background and context of the elebration have stirred up many debates and discussion. Due to the lack of written history by Native Americans and the lack of exposure of their perspective, the true significance of the first Thanksgiving feast needs to be reconsidered. 

For instance, based on historical accounts, the Natives were not even invited to the celebration in the first place. In a primary account of the celebration, there were indeed 90 members of the Wampanoag tribe present, however it was later discovered that they are all members of the local Native army that was sent by their chief to protect their tribe after hearing the sound of gunshot. 

Additionally, the later effect of the first harvest was not an event filled with harmony and joy as they received help from the natives, instead it was filled with deadly conflict between colonizers and the Natives that is not only limited to the original group of Wampanoags. Instead of repaying their allies with kindness, the settlers enslaved many natives and executed many individuals in seek of seizing land and imprisoning them. 

As the famous Indigenous activist Christine Nobiss said, it is already past time to honor the Indigenous resistance, tell their story as it really happened, and undo romanticized notions of the holiday that have long suppressed their perspective. 

Therefore, during this Thanksgiving season, Vanguard News encourages students to participate in learning about the true history of Indigenous population and mourn for their loss by participating in national celebrations and campaigns such as that of National Day of Mourning held in Plymouth since 1970 and the Indigenous People Sunrise Ceremony in California. 

Instead of simply hosting reunions and sending gratitude to people in your community, it is also important to participate in “Truth Giving” that combats the erasure of Native American history and ultimately sharing your gratitude and respect to the people that have stepped and owned this land long before the creation of America and sacrificed greatly towards the development of our nation. 

Sources:https://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgiving

https://www.dosomething.org/us/articles/truthsgiving-the-true-history-of-thanksgiving

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/how-the-traditional-thanksgiving-feast-has-evolved-over-centuries

http://www.uaine.org