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On this episode, Chelsi, Kirsten, and Emily chat about the history and archaeology of the Thanksgiving holiday. What was the original harvest celebration all about? Were the Pilgrims an absolute bummer? What are our misconceptions about this holiday? What can archaeology tell us about the relationship between the Pilgrims and indigenous communities? The hosts also discuss the importance of recognizing the colonial and racist roots of Thanksgiving, and how for many modern indigenous communities, the holiday is a Day of Mourning. While enjoying time with one’s family and friends during the holiday, there are a variety of ways to educate each other about the real history of Thanksgiving and to respect and show empathy on the Day of Mourning.
Links/Resources
400 Years After the ‘First Thanksgiving,’ the Tribe That Fed the Pilgrims Continues to Fight for Its Land Amid Another Epidemic: https://time.com/5911943/thanksgiving-wampanoag/?fbclid=IwAR2LR0fiCKHBBBuLF1o1ph1X5OTRzPnB6gDLF1_jhBRQMsK0KssMcUocUmU
The Myths of the Thanksgiving Story and the Lasting Damage They Imbue: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/thanksgiving-myth-and-what-we-should-be-teaching-kids-180973655/?fbclid=IwAR0qvxZCRShtLwFhqc1uUkg_islAxajXxg1f1rX-1WJ3GPZfBF0gO9rpcfs
Everyone’s history matters: The Wampanoag Indian Thanksgiving story deserves to be known: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/national-museum-american-indian/2017/11/23/everyones-history-matters-and-wampanoag-indian-thanksgiving-story-deserves-be-known/?fbclid=IwAR21rgNrxr9uxbFKocaUejagxKBgr0V-GlO5RNn7EM6aA-iLrfv_pv_yaLA
Before the Pilgrims, Floridians celebrated the ‘real’ first Thanksgiving: https://news.ufl.edu/articles/2015/11/before-the-pilgrims-floridians-celebrated-the-real-first-thanksgiving.html?fbclid=IwAR0_KrQuo6hr7SrBuK5Aj7WpghAmK8Wg4qT_R2I9x-btBZR_dJu8Y-_KABA
At the Site of the First Thanksgiving: https://www.umb.edu/news/detail/at_the_site_of_the_first_thanksgiving?fbclid=IwAR2qJ_ZOKg58aUwsr9tn01qlwDfdUepjxVfEpjMEEkI2pgD7cpymrhXY20U
Thanksgiving at Plimoth Plantation: Kathleen Curtin: https://archive.archaeology.org/online/interviews/curtin.html?fbclid=IwAR0faQSfAozzU0geQP6_-C7gbLkzXa5SkTsZQlnU8K3kcaJ17KQ9Kkbef00
Thanksgiving Mourning: In this activity, students will explore the perspectives of two Native American authors about the meaning of the Thanksgiving holiday and then write journal entries: https://www.learningforjustice.org/classroom-resources/lessons/thanksgiving-mourning
Harvest Ceremony – Beyond the Thanksgiving Myth: https://americanindian.si.edu/sites/1/files/pdf/education/NMAI_Harvest_Study_Guide.pdf
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