The Truth About Thanksgiving: Debunking Myths and Honoring Indigenous Resilience

Thanksgiving is often celebrated as a harmonious feast between Pilgrims and Native Americans—a story of gratitude and cooperation that has become ingrained in American culture. However, the reality is far more complex, revealing a history intertwined with colonial violence, land dispossession, and survival politics.

The Myth of Thanksgiving

The traditional narrative of Thanksgiving centers on the 1621 meal shared by Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people. While this feast did happen, it was less a celebration of friendship and more a strategic alliance for survival.

• Pilgrims in Crisis: By 1621, the Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony were barely surviving, having lost nearly half their population during the previous winter.

• Wampanoag Strategy: The Wampanoag, weakened by European-introduced diseases, saw the Pilgrims as potential allies against rival tribes. Their leader, Massasoit, sought a relationship of mutual benefit.

While this meal is often romanticized, it was not the genesis of the Thanksgiving we know today.

The Darker Side of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving proclamations in colonial America frequently marked military victories, often following brutal campaigns against Native Americans.

• 1637 Pequot Massacre: English settlers and their Native allies burned a Pequot village, killing hundreds of men, women, and children. Settlers declared a "day of thanksgiving" to celebrate their military success.

• Thanksgiving as Conquest: Similar proclamations followed other violent victories, reframing the holiday as a celebration of domination rather than unity.

No State Was ‘Discovered’

It’s essential to recognize that no part of what is now the United States was “discovered.” Indigenous peoples had lived on and stewarded this land for thousands of years before European colonization.

• Indigenous Nations Everywhere: From the Wampanoag in Massachusetts to the Lakota in the Dakotas, the Cherokee in the Southeast, and the Tongva in California, Native nations inhabited every corner of the land.

• Rich Cultures and Civilizations: These communities had sophisticated societies with trade networks, agriculture, governance systems, and spiritual traditions deeply tied to the land.

• Colonial Erasure: The myth of “discovery” perpetuates the erasure of these cultures, framing Indigenous people as obstacles to progress rather than original caretakers of the land.

Thanksgiving, framed as a peaceful exchange, often glosses over the violent displacement and genocide of Indigenous peoples to make room for European settlers.

For Native Americans, a Day of Mourning

For many Native communities, Thanksgiving is a painful reminder of colonization and genocide.

• National Day of Mourning: Each year, Native groups gather in Plymouth, Massachusetts, to honor their ancestors and challenge the sanitized narrative of Thanksgiving.

• Enduring Legacy: The holiday symbolizes the centuries-long struggle of Indigenous peoples, from land theft to cultural erasure.

The Modern Thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving we recognize today was formalized by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, during the Civil War, as a unifying holiday for a fractured nation. This version largely ignores the holiday's violent origins and the suffering of Native peoples.

Rethinking the Narrative

Acknowledging the true history of Thanksgiving isn’t about canceling the holiday—it’s about confronting uncomfortable truths and honoring the resilience of Native communities.

• Reflect on Colonial History: Learn about the complex and often painful legacy of Thanksgiving.

• Support Native-Led Initiatives: Contribute to organizations and movements led by Indigenous peoples.

• Embrace Gratitude with Action: Recognize that gratitude doesn’t erase the past but can inspire meaningful steps toward equity.

Thanksgiving, at its core, is an opportunity to reflect on collective history—not just the parts that make us comfortable. This year, let’s celebrate responsibly by learning the full story and honoring the resilience of those who came before us.

For more stories and insights on America’s true economic and social history, visit The Balance Sheet.