Native Americans
who attended the first Thanksgiving did not wear headdresses, as is often depicted.
Observed annually on the fourth Thursday in November, Thanksgiving is one of the most celebrated family holidays in the United States. This holiday has many traditions and history associated with it, primarily revolving around early settlers of the US. Thanksgiving celebrations have been criticized in recent years, however, due to inaccurate assumptions about the first Thanksgiving. It is important, then, to teach this holiday in the correct manner.
Historical Context
According to Learn NC, when teaching about Thanksgiving, it is important to educate people about the Pilgrims' religious beliefs, the Wampanoag culture, the actual story behind the first Thanksgiving feast and the evolution of the relationship between the colonists and Native Americans. When learning about Thanksgiving, children often rely heavily on mythical stories they have heard from peers or adults.
Often, educators fail to give proper background information about the colonists and the Wampanoag people. Adults should teach kids not only about peace and celebration, but about the actual events surrounding Thanksgiving, such as war, failed crops and European diseases that killed many Wampanoag people.
Beliefs
According to the History Channel's website, a Thanksgiving holiday was celebrated by Europeans two years before the "First Thanksgiving," in 1619, with a prayer. The Smithsonian notes that many more Thanksgiving services may have been held by Europeans in North American in the century leading up to 1621. The Smithsonian also notes that the Native Americans performed dances and rituals well before 1621, as well.
Although there was a feast at the first Thanksgiving, it had little to do with pilgrim-Indian relations, and more to do with celebration and gratitude for a bountiful harvest. Children are often riddled with misconceptions about the holiday being a joyous fest between new-found friends. Teachers and adults should be sure to mention both sides of the Thanksgiving story.
Food
In modern times, Thanksgiving dinner is typically an event filled with family, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. However, when teaching about Thanksgiving, teachers should lecture about crop availabilities, as some of the foods we associate with the holiday were not available to the pilgrims. Likewise, some of the foods they ate are seldom found on Thanksgiving spreads today. To exemplify, according to the History Channel, the Pilgrims ate lobster, swan and seal at Thanksgiving, which are not typical modern Thanksgiving entrees. Wild turkey, however, was eaten on the first Thanksgiving.
Cultural Respect
The Wampanoag are the tribe that is directly associated with the first Thanksgiving feast. In many modern Thanksgiving depictions and children's school projects, the Wampanoag are shown in feathers, on horseback and living in teepees. However, the tribe didn't traditionally wear feathers, have horses or live in teepees. When teaching about Thanksgiving, it is crucial to paint an appropriate picture of the natives and their background. Misconceptions are disrespectful to the ancestors of the Wampanoag, who also observe a Thanksgiving holiday.
Observance
Americans have not celebrated Thanksgiving every year since the first Thanksgiving feast. It wasn't until 1863 that Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that Thanksgiving, a national event, would be on the last Thursday of November. President Roosevelt, however, changed that tradition to " the last Thursday in November in order to allow for a longer Christmas shopping season to spur economic growth during the Great Depression," as noted by Learn NC. It is important to note, also, that the modern Thanksgiving holiday has Christmas-related commercial undertones associated with its celebration.
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