What is clear about our history is that it is generally one sided. The early 1600’s brought ships full of wealthy, unprepared pilgrims to the east coast of the United States. These shores were once full of healthy thriving tribes. That is, until Europeans inflicted them with plague and war. I start with this, because had disease and death not wiped out and weakened the Wampanoag tribe, the Europeans involved in the first Thanksgiving may never have had the opportunity to settle on what the natives knew to be, a cemetery.  For many Americans, Thanksgiving is known as a “Day of mourning for the atrocities and broken promises” Native Americans endured from early settlers. In our schools many are taught the fairy tale version of Thanksgiving. I feel we should all know the truth. I bring you these facts so that we may learn from our past so as not to repeat it. Please take the time this holiday season to give thanks to all we have and all we love. Just remember how we got here and that there is always

two sides to every story.

 

 1.   The pilgrims, unaware of how cold the winters would be spent most of it on their ships where more than half their number died of starvation and cold.

 

2.   The Wampanoag tribe were at first, wary of the Europeans.  Weary from war and weekend by disease, they watched from the shadows, all winter as the colonist stole corn from their graves and storerooms.

 

3.  Tribal members took the sight of women and children among the colonists, as a sign of a peaceful people. Only then, did they agree to help the starving pilgrims. They also held the belief that aligning with the Europeans could be beneficial in the days to come.

 

4.   In the spring of 1621, Tisquantum, encouraged by Samoset, of the Monhegan tribe, taught the ill prepared pilgrims how to farm, fish, hunt, and gather in order to sustain themselves.

 

5.  In the fall when the first corn was harvested, it was said by the pilgrim Edward Winslow, that they “sent four men on fowling,” where it was reported, “we exercised our arms.” When the Wampanoag heard the guns blasting they thought the colonists, were under direst and came to their aid.

 

6.   The pilgrims were moved by the act and invited Tisquantum, to the feast. The tribal leader knew there would not be enough food for his 90 warriors and so he brought an unprecedented, ceremonial gift of five deer.

 

7.  53 pilgrims and 90 Wampanoag, feasted for 3 days on fowl, pumpkins,venison and lobster among other traditional tribal foods. Although a wonderful event in history, the real thanks should be given for the treaty created between the colonists and the Wampanoag, which was said to have lasted far longer than any other.