Indigenous communities have debunked the elementary school story of Thanksgiving. A peaceful exchange between pilgrims and Native Americans is, in fact, far from the truth. 

Yet, celebrating Thanksgiving Day remains a prevalent holiday in many communities. This begs the question: Is it possible to reshape this holiday into a new tradition despite its gruesome history?

An even deeper question is: Does celebrating Thanksgiving mean ignoring the history of Indigenous people?

While the answers to these questions are complex, it’s fair to say that every community can learn to transform old traditions into inclusive and respectful practices. 

Why Celebrate Thanksgiving Differently?

There are many reasons to rethink the Thanksgiving celebration, but the main reason is because of the Wampanoag people. They are the Native American tribe that welcomed the Pilgrims when they first landed on Plymouth Rock, and they still live in New England today.

However, despite what every elementary school Thanksgiving play will tell you, the relationships between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people were not friendly. The cultural exchange portrayed in most history books was actually the spread of diseases and the exploitation of Wampanoag land and resources.

Rethinking Thanksgiving means honoring a group of people who, for years, have felt like their history has been forgotten and whitewashed. Not playing into the famous story means standing in solidarity with a group of people who were undermined and mistreated for years. 

Celebrating Thanksgiving differently doesn’t have to mean completely changing traditions or not celebrating it all. Instead, it can mean adding new traditions and practices that honor other communities of color. Recognizing other communities can set a better example for the next generation. 

6 Ways to Respect the Past by Honoring the Present

It’s not too late to mix things up with Thanksgiving fast approaching. Here are some ways to celebrate a long-standing tradition in a way that honors people of color. 

1. Focus on Family

Trending on social media are the videos of reenactments of holiday dinners. These videos portray people dramatically getting up and walking away from the table after being triggered by a family member. 

While meaning to be comical, these videos display a harsh truth. Unfortunately, some relatives aren’t open-minded and cause friction and tension within family gatherings. 

Family is a core part of any community. When the family is strong, the community can become stronger. Therefore, focusing on family by setting boundaries and being more patient and open-minded can be a better way of celebrating Thanksgiving. 

2. Incorporate New Foods

Since food is one of the main focuses of Thanksgiving, it is one of the easiest ways to honor Indigenous communities. You can start by incorporating the three sisters, the three staple foods in Native American cuisine: corn, squash, and beans. These staple foods can be served as a side dish. 

If you want to be adventurous and try out Native American recipes from cookbooks such as Chími Nu’am: Native California Foodways for the Contemporary Kitchen and The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen.

3. Watch Native American Movies

Nothing beats finishing a delicious Thanksgiving meal, plopping on the couch, and enjoying a good movie. Making a slight adjustment to this tradition will be easy if you’ve grown accustomed to watching films as a Thanksgiving celebration. 

The holiday is a great time to watch Native American-focused films. There are many documentary-style films to choose from to learn some history. You can also watch more cinematic films. 

Some great movies include The Land of Rock and Gold, Trickster,  Smoke Signals, Four Sheets to the Wind, and the Hulu series Reservation Dogs.

4. Learn More about Native American History

Reading, researching, and discovering more about Native American history is crucial to understanding how these cultures impact our society. Some resources you can start with include David Silverman’s book  This Land Is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving. You can also visit Native American historical sites and museums.

Another simple way to learn about Native American cultures is to follow Native content creators. Here are some TikTok and Instagram accounts to start with:

• James Jones makes videos fusing hip-hop, break dancing, and Native American dances.
• Naiomi Glasses shares the day in the life of a Native American woman who is a textile artist and skateboarder.
• Niłtooli Wilkin is a content creator and Author of Indigenous, I Am. She is also a voice for the LGBTQ community and her Navajo community.

5.  Reflect on What the Holiday Means to You and Your Loved Ones

One of the most important things you can do this Thanksgiving is to reflect. Whether you’re having a traditional Thanksgiving with family or a Friendsgiving, think about what this holiday means to you and those you share the day with. Consider what adding new traditions would look like or how it would change dynamics in the household. 

Most importantly, ask yourself if you are honoring the holiday in a way that acknowledges and respects Native American communities. Understand that knowledge and empathy strengthen Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities.