Happyish Thanksgiving

From a Native

The Origins of Thanksgiving and Its Evolution Over Time

 I’ve actually been researching everything I can find on the history and origins of Thanksgiving. Everything that I’ve found seems to have been shrouded in a blend of myth and tradition.

Understanding the holiday’s true origins and how it has evolved over time reveals a complex history.

 The Early Beginnings

 The roots of Thanksgiving date back to the autumn of 1621.

After a brutal winter, the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony, in what is now Massachusetts, celebrated a successful harvest, largely thanks to the help of the Natives, specifically the Wampanoag Tribe. Ousomequin, the chief of the Tribe, decided to break bread with the pilgrims as a strategic alliance.

This event, commonly regarded as the first Thanksgiving, was not initially intended as a holiday but rather a traditional English harvest feast.

 This gathering saw the Pilgrims and Natives sharing food and celebrating their successful harvest. Contrary to popular belief, this was not a peaceful meeting symbolizing mutual respect and cooperation.

The relationship between the two groups was very complex with a lot of tension.

 Evolution and Recognition

 For over two centuries, Thanksgiving was celebrated in various forms and times by different states and colonies. It was not uniformly observed and lacked the national recognition it has today.

 The transformation of Thanksgiving into a national holiday is largely credited to Sarah Josepha Hale, a prominent writer and editor. She petitioned several U.S. presidents to declare Thanksgiving a national holiday.

Finally, in 1863, amidst the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise" to be celebrated on the last Thursday in November. This proclamation was an attempt to unify the divided nation.

 Modern Thanksgiving: A Time of Reflection and Tradition

 Today, Thanksgiving has become a time for family gatherings, feasting on turkey and other traditional dishes, and expressing gratitude. The holiday has also become synonymous with parades, like the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and best of all, 3 nfl football games.

 However, it's essential to recognize that for many Natives, Thanksgiving can be a reminder of the genocide and suffering that our ancestors endured.

This day is often marked as a day of mourning and reflection on the history of our respective Tribes.

If you choose to not celebrate this holiday, then that’s understandable and also perfectly fine with me.

So, do I celebrate?

  Yes of course I do. I’m Native but I also live in America. In my family and inner circle we have our jokes and serious discussions about things that affect us as a family, but not everything is worth fighting over.

I choose to leave the responsibility of posting mean comments on facebook to others.

You know who you are. (Wink Wink)

They’re the ones who have their phones in their right hand, which they use to type the mean post, while holding their plates of thanksgiving dinner in their left.

It’s truly a balancing act.

As a Native, I’ve learned how to choose my battles wisely. I can’t fight with everyone all of the time. (although there are some of us that do)

Do I think there are racist people in the world that rejoice in stealing this land from my people? Absolutely. Do I think about them all the time or even just a little during the holidays? Absolutely not.

I choose to focus on the positive and the things I can change or affect.

I think getting together with your family to share a meal, pass down recipes, watch football and enjoy each other’s company is a good thing.

It’s something we don’t do enough of in the Native Community.

Being thankful and giving thanks for my many blessings is something I do daily, and I hope you do too.

If you don’t know, now you know, a Native. 

Chími Nu’am

Native California Foodways for the Contemporary Kitchen

Sara Calvosa Olson (Karuk) reimagines some of the oldest foods in California for home cooks today.

Meaning “Let’s eat!” in the Karuk language, Chími Nu’am shares the author’s delicious and inventive takes on Native food styles from across California.

Over seventy seasonal recipes centered on a rich array of Indigenous ingredients follow the year from Fall (elk chili beans, acorn crepes) to Winter (wild boar pozole, huckleberry hand pies) to Spring (wildflower spring rolls, peppernut mole chicken) to Summer (blackberry braised smoked salmon, acorn milk freezer pops).

Special sections offer guidance on acorn preparation, traditional uses of proteins, and mindful ingredient sourcing. Calvosa Olson has spent many years connecting her family’s foodways with a growing community, and these recipes, techniques, and insights invite everyone to Calvosa Olson’s table.

Designed as an accessible entry for people beginning their journey toward a decolonized diet, Chími Nu’am welcomes readers in with Calvosa Olson’s politically perceptive and irresistibly funny writing.

With more than 100 photographs, this cookbook is a culinary gift that will add warmth and mouth watering aromas to any kitchen.

I spoke with Sara and asked her if she had anything she would like to add to the article I was writing. She had this to say:

“Food security is always on my mind this time of year. Looking after each other and being more community minded in our gatherings is important. It’s not tradish to have our grandmothers going hungry in the winter.”

I couldn’t agree more with her. Also, I find it amazing that she had an opportunity for self promotion, yet chose to use the space to spread love and awareness for our elders.

With that being said, if you’re looking to add a traditional or reimagined Native dish to your Thanksgiving feast this year, look no further. This book is fantastic, thank you contribution to the culture Sara.

To order click the following link.

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Ousamequin - Wampanoag

He’s widely known as Massasoit, which means "Great Leader," and was a paramount chief of the Wampanoag Confederacy during a pivotal moment in early American history.

His real name was Ousamequin (Oh-sam-eh-quen) Born around 1581, his leadership and diplomacy were instrumental in the early interactions between Natives and the Pilgrims.

 He oversaw several tribes within the Wampanoag Confederacy in what is now the southeastern region of Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island. His rule coincided with the arrival of the Pilgrims at Plymouth in 1620, a critical period marked by mutual suspicion and potential conflict.

 Understanding the importance of establishing peaceful relations with the newcomers, he made a significant decision to approach the Pilgrims to negotiate a peace treaty.

In March 1621, he and the Pilgrims agreed to the Treaty of Plymouth, which laid the foundation for a mutually beneficial relationship. This treaty, one of the first between Natives and European settlers, included provisions for mutual protection and assistance.

 His decision to ally with the Pilgrims was strategic. It provided his people with an advantage against their rivals, the Narragansetts, and ensured the Wampanoag access to European trade goods.

Moreover, this alliance was crucial for the survival of the Plymouth Colony, as his people helped the settlers learn essential survival skills, including the cultivation of local crops and fishing techniques.

 Ousamequin’s most notable contribution to American history is his participation in what is widely celebrated as the first Thanksgiving in 1621. This event, a harvest feast shared between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, has become a symbol of cooperation and coexistence, although the realities of subsequent Native-European relations were often far less harmonious.

 Throughout his life, he maintained the peace treaty with the Plymouth Colony, a testament to his diplomatic skills and desire for peaceful coexistence. His leadership style was marked by pragmatism and a deep understanding of the political landscape of the time.

 After his death in 1661, the relations between the English settlers and the Wampanoag deteriorated, leading to conflicts like King Philip's War. His legacy, however, is remembered for the period of peace and cooperation he fostered during his lifetime.

 His story is a significant chapter in the early history of the United States. His diplomatic approach, leadership, and commitment to his people's welfare make him a notable figure in the complex narrative of America's founding.

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