Unveiling the Truth Behind Thanksgiving: Context, Decolonization, and Mythology
A history professor and tribal leader are working to bring context to the traditional Thanksgiving story, challenging long-held myths and highlighting the destructive impact of colonialism on Indigenous people. They emphasize the need to acknowledge the full history, including the wars and decimation of Indigenous communities that followed the shared meal between Native people and Pilgrims. The popularized version of the First Thanksgiving is a simplified and romanticized myth that contributed to the Manifest Destiny sentiment. The professor and tribal leader aim to educate the public about the ongoing presence and importance of Indigenous people in society.