Collection

Celebrating Indigenous Knowledge: Stories to Discuss at Thanksgiving Dinner

Solutions Journalism

Solutions Journalism Network

Educator (NOT Journalism School)

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on what we have to be grateful for, but it is also an excellent opportunity to revisit what we know about the relationship between the early European settlers and the Native Americans who had lived here for an estimated 10,000 years before the pilgrims arrived. Many history books tell a version of this story that doesn't align with recent research and scholarship.

For example, the first "thanksgiving day" gathering was declared by Governor Winthrop in 1637 after men from the Massachusetts Bay Colony returned from massacring 700 members of the Pequot tribe in Connecticut. You can read about that here. Click here to read about the National Day of Mourning that many will recognize next week instead of Thanksgiving to commemorate "the genocide of millions of Native people, the theft of Native lands, and the relentless assault on Native culture."

You might also want to learn something about the indigenous peoples who lived on the land you now call home before Europeans (if you live in the eastern part of the country) or their descendants (if you live in the west) arrived. If you don't know who that is, you can find out by exploring this Native Land Map

Finally, why not devote part of this Thanksgiving to reflecting on indigenous culture and knowledge?  The solutions journalism stories below describe how indigenous peoples are working to maintain their culture and traditions, support their communities, and reclaim and protect their land.  Pick one or two that interest you, or search for another story on indigenous peoples in the Solutions Story Tracker.  Then share your knowledge with someone at dinner this Thanksgiving!

Click here for a version of this collection that educators can copy and customize for their students, and that includes discussion questions.