On the fourth Thursday of November, the average American celebrates Thanksgiving day, but for indigenous people, it is a day of mourning.
As Thanksgiving break begins, most students are looking forward to enjoying time with family and maybe eating turkey with some pumpkin pie. Many will commemorate a story of indigenous people sharing their hunting and agricultural knowledge with European colonists, culminating in a feast of peace. However, for many Indigenous people, this Thursday is considered a National Day of Mourning. For them, Thanksgiving is a reminder of colonization and its devastating impact, which still affects their communities to this day.
The National Day of Mourning began on Thanksgiving Day, 1970. Frank “Wamsutta” James, a member of the Wampamoag tribe, had been invited to speak at a banquet commemorating the 350th anniversary of the pilgrims landing in Plymouth.
He wrote a speech that presented the harsh truth of what colonization had done to his people who were largely wiped out by disease and sold into slavery in the years following what is remembered as “The First Thanksgiving.” The Commonwealth wanted him to deliver a celebratory, palatable speech that they would write for him instead. Wamsutta refused. So, they rescinded his invitation.
In response, he and many supporters launched a protest against the whitewashing of their history. They declared Thanksgiving Day a National Day of Mourning. Wamsutta gave his suppressed speech on Cole’s Hill, beginning a 54-year tradition.
Heightened awareness of indigenous issues has been rising over the last few decades. This year, thousands more than the small group of 200 who gathered in 1970 will come together both to honor those who have died as a result of colonial genocide and to protest against the continued mistreatment of indigenous people in the United States. Many states have begun to correct false histories in textbooks and replace holidays like Columbus Day with Indigenous People’s Day. However, policy has not shifted to correct the grievances of Indigenous Americans.
The U.S Department of Health & Human Services: Administration For Native Americans, have stated that Indigenous American families are nearly twice as likely to be in poverty than the average American family. Indigenous Americans also have higher rates of alcohol, drug use, and depression than any other ethnicity in the United States via the National Institute for Health. These statistics speak to the lasting effects of generational trauma still largely unaddressed by the Federal government. The National Day of Mourning seeks to put continued pressure on the government to act justly toward Indigenous tribes and honor treaties.
According to Cultural Survival, the key issues expected to be addressed at this year’s protest are: the continued defense of native lands and the environment through protesting pipelines and mining project; the intergenerational traumas still suffered from government-run residential schools; attacks on Indigenous children through the weaponizing of the foster care system and efforts to overturn the Indian Child Act; Indigenous movements for land sovereignty; and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous , Girls, and Two-Spirits Movement (MMIWG2S).
The movement also seeks to educate non-native people about the true history of the nation and the impact of colonialism. All people are welcomed to join in solidarity, listen to Indigenous voices, and stand with them.
Despite the continuing struggles facing Indigenous communities, they will continue the fight this Thursday and uphold the words Wamsutta spoke on Cole’s Hill 54 years ago:
“Our spirit refuses to die,” Wamsutta said. “Yesterday we walked the woodland paths and sandy trails. Today we must walk the macadam highways and roads. We are uniting. We stand tall and proud, and before too many moons pass we’ll right the wrongs we have allowed to happen to us.”
