Have you ever heard of the first Thanksgiving? Well, there was a story written by Chuck Larsen titled “Information for Teachers” that aimed to help teachers effectively teach their students about it. Larsen explained that the majority of Americans were taught about the first Thanksgiving in school, although this was not entirely true. What makes Larsen interesting is that his ancestors were part of both the pilgrims and the Indians, making their connection to the first official Thanksgiving significant.
When confronted with a vast amount of knowledge, the task is to choose pertinent information to communicate. In 1620, the Pilgrims made a brave choice to venture into unknown territories and cross the immense Atlantic Ocean. They navigated through unfamiliar waters and were led by fate to the rough shores of an unfamiliar land that was already home to a group of indigenous people called the Wampanoag Indians. These Native Americans resided in coastal villages located in what we now identify as Michigan and Rhode Island. Their unique homes, known as Wigwams, were constructed using poles and tree barks.
The tradition of using this type of shelter persisted for many years among the Wampanoag people. They frequently migrated in order to find food, relying primarily on hunting before the introduction of animal traps. During the spring, they caught fish, and in the planting season, they turned to the forests for sustenance. When faced with harsh weather conditions, such as rain, floods, and drought, they sought refuge inland. Droughts in particular caused widespread starvation and dehydration among the Wampanoags.
The indigenous population relied on deer skin to adapt to fluctuating winter temperatures. They also made use of bear, otter, beaver, and oxen fur for various purposes. In the New England region during that era, there were two distinct groups: the Iroquois and the Algonquian-speaking Algonquians. Each clan had a leader known as Sachem, while each village had both a Sachem and a tribal council. Although power distribution varied, the ultimate political authority rested with the people.
In the Algonquians, men held more power, while in the Iroquois, women had the final say in electing leaders for their clans. However, both men and women collaborated in enforcing laws and assisting one another. Other indigenous groups in the Eastern woodlands regarded the turtle, deer, and fish as kin, fostering a deep connection with nature. This reverence for nature was so strong that hunters would leave a small offering of meat and skin to appease the spirits.
When strange ships arrived at their shores, the Wampanoags felt a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. However, in their customary manner, they warmly welcomed the Pilgrims. Showing their generosity, they quickly formed a friendship with the new arrivals. The survival of the Pilgrims hinged on this friendship, as without it they would surely have perished. With the Pilgrims came seeds that they called “wheat,” which they could plant and grow. However, due to the different climate compared to their homeland, these seeds struggled to flourish in the rocky soil.
Squanto, also known as Tisquantum, aided both the Pilgrims and the Wampanoags, facilitating the planting of seeds and increasing food accessibility for all. Squanto hailed from Patuxet and belonged to the Pokanokit clan, which was connected to the Wampanoags. Patuxet once occupied the location where Plymouth was constructed by the Pilgrims but vanished over time. Unbeknownst to the Pilgrims, Squanto had previously journeyed to New England alongside his companion John Weymouth.
After returning, he was captured by a British slaver and sold to the Spanish in the Caribbean Islands. During his time there, he befriended a priest who aided him in escaping the islands and reaching Spain. Upon arriving in Spain, he boarded a ship bound for England. In England, he reunited with Captain Weymouth who promptly brought him back to his homeland. They arrived in Patuxet the same year that the Pilgrims did. Regrettably, when they reached Patuxet, they discovered bones scattered everywhere, evidence of a plague left behind by the English slavers.
Squanto made a decision to move with the Wampanoags, along with Samoset. While hunting on the shores of Patuxet, they unexpectedly encountered people from England in their homeland. Taking time to observe the newcomers, they eventually felt it was appropriate to approach and greet them. Samoset was the first to reach out and say hello, followed by Squanto. Their friendship with the pilgrims developed rapidly. However, it saddened them to see that the pilgrims were in very poor condition.
The Pilgrims were living in dirt-covered shelters and facing scarcity of food, resulting in the loss of many lives during the winter. However, Squanto and Samoset came to their aid and provided them with valuable survival skills. With their assistance, the plants that the Pilgrims had planted grew successfully by spring. This improvement in circumstances included better shelters, enough food for the winter, and increased knowledge of survival techniques. Consequently, the Pilgrims decided to hold a thanksgiving feast to express gratitude for their newfound prosperity.
The Wampanoags and the Pilgrims celebrate six thanksgiving feasts throughout the year. It starts with the Maple Dance, followed by the Planting Feast, Strawberry Festival, Green Corn Festival, Harvest Festival, mid-winter feast, and most importantly, the “First Thanksgiving”. The friendship between them was genuine initially. However, as more English men arrived in North America, they became less dependent on assistance from the Natives like the original Pilgrims were. Many newcomers forgot about the bond and help received from Indians. Trust broke and friendship faded away. The Pilgrims began criticizing Indian customs and religion as wrong. Eventually, after a few years, their friendship dissolved and children who once sat together at “first thanksgiving” started fighting each other in a conflict named “King Phillip’s War.” It is unfortunate that this sad event happened but it’s important to understand the entire story without focusing only on happy moments.
Today, the town of Plymouth Rock is now the venue for annual Thanksgiving feasts. Wampanoags still reside in Massachusetts, and in 1970 a member of their tribe expressed these inspiring words: “Today, you are celebrating and reflecting on the initial days of white settlers in America. However, for me, it is not a time of celebration. Looking back on what occurred to my People fills me with sorrow. When the Pilgrims arrived, we, the Wampanoags, warmly received them, unaware that it marked the start of a tragic outcome.”
That within 50 years, the Wampanoag tribe would cease to exist as a result of being killed by settlers’ guns or dying from diseases contracted from them. We should never forget that Native Americans are equally human as white people. While the way of life for both groups has almost vanished, Native Americans still inhabit Massachusetts. We cannot alter what happened in the past, but we must strive towards creating a better nation where people and nature are valued once again.
