The origin story of Thanksgiving is thought to have been founded around the celebratory feast between the Separatist pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe in 1621, but this story has become less of a historical recount and more of a mythical retelling that white-washes the ramifacations that befell in the years to follow. As demonstrated in the above video, that fateful meal, lasting three whole days (imagine the food and stuffed tummies) was a tale of unity between two distinct peoples coming together to honor one each other and the tumultous rite of passage they had just endured. In its entirety the story of the first peoples of the Americas, including that of the immigrants that came from Europe, is one fraught with prejudice, death, immense struggle and suffering, and massecre.
The Separatist settlers from England were traveling from Holland to the Americas in search for a land to worship and live freely the way they believed God decreed. Leaving beyond the religous persecution in their homeland, they were seeking out a better life for themselves and future generations. When they finally landed where they would settle, not on a rock as is told, they decreed the land be called "New Plymouth" in honor of the city they had once dwelled. However, this land was once a village called "Pawtuxet" which had wiped out the first inhabitants by the plague, explained to them by the native, Samsoset, and that the Chief of the Wampanoag, Massosoit, was watching with a careful eye after having his people and neighboring tribes be destroyed horrifically by other immigrants. The pilgrims insisted on their desire for peace and offered trade as proof of this. A few days passed and Samoset returned with several others, including the infamous Tisquantum, also known as Squanto, who spoke impeccable English. Samoset and Squanto explained that Massosoit, along with his warriors, were on their way to confront these settlers. Edward Winslow approached the Chief in surrender and with Squanto by his side as interpreter they were able to appease and live peacefully. The Governor of the Separatist peoples, Thomas Bradford, and Massosoit signed a peace treaty.
As I researched for this article, I found myself reflecting on how both the Wampanoag tribe, as well as other tribes, and the Separatists were alike in that they all had experienced persecution and the threat of death. The Separatists were coming to establish a place of safety for themselves without knowing what other settlers had done to the Natives of the land. The Natives of the land had already experienced the onset of massacre through murder and plagues from previous European encounters. Squanto himself was no stranger to this persecution as his story reflects that of being kidnapped into slavery, finally being rescued by an Englishman, who taught him English, and finally being free to return to his home-tribe of Pawtuxet, finding all those he loved perished from the plague. He was brought into the Wampanoag tribe, after much debate, because he could be useful as an interpreter.
Thus, what is thought of as the First Thanksgiving (at least in the USA, as the origin of "thanksgiving" was in Canada in 1578) can be seen as one of unity, coming together despite perceived differences, of commonalities found in similar suffering and persecution.
In the years to follow, the peace treaty would remain until Squanto would attempt a mutiny against the Massosoit, who pledged to have his life taken. The Separatist people tried to have Squanto's life spared but ultimately sided with Massosoit, realizing that Squanto had committed a crime. However, the execution would not take place, because the onset of many more European settlers began to take place. These settlers, unlike the Separatists, did not continue peace with the Natives of the land but the violence and massacre worsened.
Why These Native Americans Observe A National Day Of Mourning Each Thanksgiving
Thus, for Native Americans, Thanksgiving is viewed as a Day of Mourning as they continue to fight to not have the suffering and murders of their ancestors wiped from the pages of history. Truthsgiving and Takesgiving are the names they utilize for this holiday in the final days of November.
All that to be said, why do I continue to celebrate, and the answer to that is simple, to spread the unity and gratitude founded by those at the feast in 1621, looking past differences, of which is forever needed for all people of all lands of all time.
Well done! The plaque that killed so many was smallpox. And I am sure you remember going to the place in England where Edward Jenner gave the first smallpox vaccine
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work
Dad
Sorry. Plague not plaque
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