Thanksgiving: A Day of Mourning By Roy Cook

Children are taught now days that Thanksgiving was all about the pilgrims and how they helped native Indians and there was a big feast and they were invited. The information is however inaccurate and dangerous for the children because instead of calling it thanksgiving it should be a "Day in Mourning” for the Indians. The original name for "Thanksgiving” was called “Nikkomasachmiawene” in the American Indian language that taught the true meaning of the holiday. This happened in 1621 that actually formed the feast that was done originals with the Europeans to help the pilgrims. The feast was done with games and tradional food with lots of stories. The Massasoit came with over 90 men with plenty of deer, fish. The tribe near Plymouth had been wiped out for the land which they resided. Then, the pilgrims arrive five years later. The Native Americans did business with the English people in 1614. One of the men was Captain Thomas Hunt and he liked to do trading. Thomas also sold some people off as slaves in Spain. Lots of American Indians were tricked into jobs but ended up becoming slaves. Being around the English people and not having shots caused the Indians to become ill with diseases like smallpox, measles and so on.72,000 - 90,000 Indians were in this area and after being in slaved with the English people 80 % were lost over 100 year period. A lot of the Indian tribes were wiped out at this time. The pilgrims came to Plymouth on a commercial venture. They ended up robbing the Indians of their prize processions on the way through Cape Cod. This made the Indians mad cause the stole off their people’s graves and prized possessions. In that day in time the Indians believed that the pilgrims insulted their people resting in peace. There was going to be a fight but the Indians were scared off by the guns the pilgrims had. One day when the pilgrims settled down and grew fields and let their guard down. The Indians stole from them their tools as payback for what the pilgrims did earlier. One of the tribe’s leaders Samoset of the Wabnakitried to make peace with the pilgrims in 1621 but it did not happen. Instead was taken in as a slave in England but was able to free by escaping and returning back to Plymouth. He met up with the pilgrims and told them about his adventuress and promised them that he get their tools back. There was a treaty made and the American Indian Tisquantum one of the 60 Samoset brought with him. Everyone knew about this treaty and was to help each other out in case of an attack. He had been a slave three times, only to free himself and return back to the tribe to be with Wampanoag’s because his whole family had died with all the diseases. He later ended up with the pilgrims where he lived the remainder of his life with his tribe. Because of the American Indian skills the English was able to survive better then how they used to. He taught them how to plant food and catch good fish in the waters. The English were from the city and knew none of these skills. "Government Bradford called Tisquantum " a special instrument sent of God" The Native nations along with the eastern seaboard practiced tribal spirituality, hospitality, and generosity." Pg 2 John Winthrop was known for being the one to proclaim the official day of "Thanksgiving" in 1637.He was in the government that proudly celebrated his brothers accepting Christianity. Massasoit had a son named Metacomet that was later made king after his father passed in 1662 that tried to make another treaty so the English and the Indians could get along on the same land. However, the English was just taking up all the land and American Indians were powerless to do anything about it. Then, the American Indians found out that English was spreading lies that they were planning on helping the French. The rangers demanded that the guns to be surrendered. Then, the Indians were to surrender themselves to the English people. The American Indians would not go for this and nothing was to happen for the next four years. However, a war broke out between the two in 1675. The tribes were forced to help each other out and raid over English farming and everyone was looking for Phillip. They found Phillips family and used them for ransom.
This lead to Phillips capture and he was killed and be headed and put on a pole in Plymouth for all to see. There are still small tribes today that are recognized by the government. There are only about four thousand left of the tribe today and the most known is the Mashpee and the Gay Head. There is an actual Text of Plaque on Cole’s Hill that was started in 1970 for the American Indians. The reason this was formed was because the tribes don’t believe that “Thanksgiving” is a joy day. This is a day of mourning of all the follow Indians that was lost. The thief of their land and the discrimination that these people endured sponsored this event every year so the American Indians may mourn their losses. They all gather at Coles Hill over in Plymouth for this event. The event was held by Frank James and he delivered the text and this angered the government. There are a lot of people that believe in this event and actually think that the way Americans rejoiced the thanksgiving now days is brought out and distorted. However, hearing all sides of the story helps everyone have a voice and speak of the history of the actual events. There is a positive aspect of this story and the Indians want to share it with everyone. There is an actual museum made for the tribes and they are nationwide recognized from the government for their courage to speak out and still conduct businesses and other act as activities tribe despite the outcome of this history of the American Indians. It is high time for the positive sides of this history of violence and hate to be turned around into something that everyone can get along and head towards a positive future together, after all, the land still does belong to the American Indians after all. In Conclusion, the story over all was very detailed and explained a lot in its version of events. However, how does one really know that the Indians were the first people on this land of the great? In the Bible, it states there were Adam and Eve and they were white and the first on Earth. Never less, completely disagree with the way the English came in though and just started killing innocent people over land. There is plenty of land to go around for everyone there was no reason to just kill over it. The Indians were very smart back in time; it states it again and again in the history books. Just look at the wars, and the English would just line up and shoot each other. It was the Indians that taught us to fight behind trees and on the ground. The story was a bit confusing though because it stated the men brought fish and deer. In the history books it was stated that turkey and ham was on the dinner table. So, some of the facts in this story is supposedly not true. It is very sad there are so limited few American Indians on the land now days. The tribes could have so much to offer us so we may learn how others live and believe in things. On a positive note it is good to hear that we have somehow overcome things in the past in the history. However, have we really gotten past all the hate and fighting over land if almost all have been slaughtered and killed? This day, “Thanksgiving” should be a day of mourning. And the children in today’s schools should be taught the true meaning of this holiday and the loss should always be remembered by all.