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It was two hundred years after the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth Colony in 1621, and another century again, for Thanksgiving Day to become an official national holiday. Only through the efforts of one woman, Sarah Josepha Hale, and her tireless campaign to recognize the importance of this day in our history.
There is often folklore in today’s re-enactment of the first Thanksgiving feast, and seldom do we learn about the impact of Native Americans in the years before and after. And there is little coverage of the fact that Native American Heritage Day is the day after Thanksgiving – more commonly recognized as Black Friday.
Involvement of Indigenous Americans with English settlers dated earlier, specifically the critical relationship between the settlers and Sqanto, a member of the Patuxet tribe. Squanto became an ally for the settlers, serving as an interpreter, guide, and agricultural guide. With his help, settlers learned to fish and hunt, and to successfully grow corn and other crops.
New England tribes had long held harvest feasts of thanksgiving and were invited by the governor of Plymouth Colony to join the settler’s harvest feast in 1621. With ninety additional warriors, the tribe joined the feast, bringing their own traditional foods including fish, venison, corn, squash, and maple syrup.
The U.S. Senate passed a formal resolution in 1990, recognizing the month of November as Native American Heritage Month to recognize the American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian people and their diverse cultures, contributions, and achievements to the country.
Native American Heritage Day is a national observance that honors the history, culture, and contributions of Native peoples of North America. It takes place the day after Thanksgiving and serves as a time for respect, remembrance, and education. Established in 2008, this day encourages everyone to learn about tribal traditions and recognize the resilience of Native communities.
Although its history is complex, Thanksgiving can be a time to come together for celebration. For Chrysalis, it is a time when we can appreciate the friends, partners, and community members who join our work to ensure girls and women have every opportunity to thrive. Thank you!
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