You typed that question into Google, didn't you? "Do Native Americans celebrate Thanksgiving?" It’s a loaded one, honestly. I remember asking my friend Ben, who’s Lakota Sioux, this exact thing years ago. He just sighed, looked at me, and said, "Man, that depends on who you ask and where they're from." That stuck with me. There’s no single Native American experience, no one-size-fits-all answer. Think about it – over 574 federally recognized tribes in the US alone? That’s massive diversity in culture, history, and perspective. So expecting one answer about whether Native Americans celebrate Thanksgiving is like asking if all Europeans like the same food. It misses the nuance entirely.

What people really want to know boils down to this: Is Thanksgiving offensive? Do any Indigenous people observe it? What do they do instead? How does history play into this? I get it. Schools teach that happy feast story with Pilgrims and Wampanoag sharing a meal, picture-perfect harmony. But that’s... well, let's just say it skips a whole lot of messy history. It’s incomplete. For many Native folks, Thanksgiving is a painful reminder of colonization, broken treaties, and violence that followed that first encounter. Imagine sitting down to turkey while knowing your ancestors suffered immensely because of what that meal symbolizes for mainstream America. Heavy stuff.

The Real History Behind That First "Thanksgiving" Dinner

Let's be real about 1621. Yes, there was a harvest gathering involving Pilgrims and Wampanoag people. But calling it the "first Thanksgiving" as we know it? That’s a later invention. It wasn't an annual national holiday until Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it during the Civil War, trying to unite a fractured country. The cozy image we have? It got polished up over centuries, leaving out the grit.

The Wampanoag weren't just friendly neighbors popping over for pumpkin pie. Their leader, Ousamequin (Massasoit), formed a crucial military alliance with the struggling Pilgrims. It was a strategic move for survival in a complex Indigenous political landscape. Within decades, that alliance shattered. King Philip's War (1675-1678) – brutal conflict between colonists and Native tribes, including Wampanoag descendants – erupted. Think forced assimilation, land theft, disease decimating communities... all tracing back to that initial contact.

Seeing this holiday as a simple "friendly feast" feels naive when you know the full timeline. For countless Native families, Thanksgiving isn't a starting point; it’s a symbol of a devastating turning point. Does acknowledging this history make people uncomfortable? Absolutely. But understanding why many Native Americans don't celebrate Thanksgiving starts right here.

How Native Americans Actually Feel About Thanksgiving Today

Okay, so do Native Americans celebrate Thanksgiving? The answer is messy and deeply personal. There's no tribal council vote. It varies enormously:

• The Day of Mourning Perspective: For many, especially activists and community leaders, it's a day of protest and remembrance. Since 1970, United American Indians of New England (UAINE) have held the National Day of Mourning in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
• The Family Gathering Angle: Many Native folks use the federal holiday time off purely for family connection – sharing food, stories, laughter. It's about kinship, not Pilgrims. Turkey dinner? Maybe, but it's coincidental. The focus is internal, not on the national narrative. Honestly, I’ve been to these gatherings. The vibe is warmth and togetherness, zero talk of Plymouth Rock.
• The Cultural Mix: Some blend aspects. They might gather with family but also incorporate Indigenous foods (wild rice, corn, squash, bison), prayers, or discussions about true history. It's reclaiming the time.
• The "Just Another Day" View: For others, it doesn't hold any special meaning – neither positive nor negative. It's just Thursday.

You absolutely cannot lump everyone together. Someone living on the rez might feel differently than an urban Native professional. An elder might have a different view than a teenager. Tribal affiliation matters – nations with direct historical ties to Plymouth have stronger feelings than tribes geographically distant.

* This table simplifies complex individual views. Many people's feelings combine elements from multiple categories.

The National Day of Mourning: More Than Just Protest

You can't talk about "do Native Americans celebrate Thanksgiving" without understanding the National Day of Mourning (NDOM) in Plymouth. Started in 1970 by Wamsutta Frank James (Wampanoag) after officials censored his speech criticizing the Pilgrim myth, it’s grown massively. It’s not an "anti-Thanksgiving." It’s a powerful day of unity, truth-telling, and honoring resilience.

What happens there? Speeches by Indigenous leaders from across the hemisphere, traditional drumming and song, mourning ancestors lost to colonialism, and highlighting ongoing struggles for sovereignty, environmental justice, and the MMIWG2S (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit) crisis. It’s solemn, yes, but also incredibly strong and unifying. Attending once changed my whole perspective. The raw honesty about history was jarring, necessary. It’s the counter-narrative you won't find in grade school textbooks.

Family Over Feast: When Gathering Isn't About Pilgrims

For plenty of Native families, Thanksgiving Thursday is simply a paid day off work – a rare chance for scattered relatives to reunite. The focus? Family, full stop. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins cramming into a living room, kids running around, the smell of fry bread or venison stew mixing with laughter. The food might *include* turkey because it’s available and affordable, but it sits alongside dishes that actually connect to their heritage: Three Sisters stew (corn, beans, squash), wild rice dishes, cedar tea, salmon, wojapi (berry soup). The Pilgrims aren't invited to this table.

It’s about connection, resilience, and continuing culture. Elders share stories in Native languages. Teachings are passed down. Jokes fly. It’s life and vibrancy far removed from the national narrative. So, technically, they are "celebrating" a gathering on that day, but the *why* and the *how* are worlds apart from mainstream Thanksgiving. Does this count as celebrating Thanksgiving? Depends entirely on your definition.

What Alternatives Are Growing in Popularity?

So if the traditional Thanksgiving narrative is problematic, what are people doing instead? Especially non-Native allies or Native folks wanting a different focus? Several meaningful alternatives are gaining traction:

• Truthsgiving: Focused on learning and acknowledging true history. Activities include reading Indigenous authors (Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, Vine Deloria Jr.), watching documentaries (Dawnland, Our Spirits Don’t Speak English), discussing treaties, and supporting Native creators/businesses.
• Thanks-taking / Giving Back: Using the time for tangible action. Donating to Native-led organizations (NDN Collective, Native American Rights Fund, local tribal charities), volunteering, participating in land stewardship activities.
• Indigenous Peoples Sunrise Ceremonies: Held in various locations (like Alcatraz Island in San Francisco), these predawn gatherings on Thanksgiving Day or nearby focus on spiritual resilience, honoring ancestors, prayer, song, and dance. Powerful and moving events open to respectful participants.
• Native American Heritage Month Focus: Shifting the emphasis entirely to November as Native American Heritage Month. Attending cultural events, learning about specific tribes (especially local ones), exploring Native art and cuisine.

These alternatives directly address the discomfort around the traditional celebration and provide constructive, respectful ways to spend the time.

Common Questions People Ask (And Honest Answers)

Let's tackle some specifics people search alongside "do Native Americans celebrate Thanksgiving". These pop up constantly:

Is it offensive to celebrate Thanksgiving if you're not Native?

This is huge. The answer isn't a simple yes/no. Many Native folks aren't telling non-Natives *not* to gather. The offense often comes from:

• Ignorance: Perpetuating the Pilgrim/Indian myth without acknowledging the devastating history that followed.
• Erasure: Acting like Native peoples vanished after 1621, ignoring contemporary existence and struggles.
• Appropriation: Using stereotypical "Indian" decorations or costumes (massively offensive).

Can you gather? Sure. But *how* matters immensely. Acknowledge the complex history. Center gratitude without the false narrative. Learn about the land you're on (native-land.ca). Support Indigenous communities. Skip the paper headdresses. Seriously.

Do any Native American tribes officially recognize Thanksgiving?

Federally recognized tribes operate as sovereign nations. They don't "recognize" US federal holidays like Thanksgiving in an official governmental capacity. Tribal governments follow their own calendars and observances. Tribal offices are often closed on Thanksgiving because it's a US federal holiday, meaning employees get the day off, not because the tribe endorses the holiday's meaning. Individual tribal members then use that time as they see fit – mourning, family time, or otherwise.

What should I teach my kids about Thanksgiving?

Move beyond the cardboard cutouts. Kids can handle complexity. Explain:

1. People Lived Here First: Thriving societies existed for millennia before Europeans.
2. 1621 Happened (Briefly): There was a gathering involving Pilgrims and Wampanoag for specific reasons (survival, diplomacy).
3. It Didn't Stay Peaceful: Explain simply that promises were broken, fights happened, and Native people lost a lot of land and lives. (Age-appropriate language).
4. Native Americans Are Still Here: Emphasize contemporary tribes, cultures, contributions. Show photos of modern Native people!
5. Focus on True Gratitude: Be thankful for family, food, shelter – things rooted in your real life, not a myth.

Great resources exist: Books by Indigenous authors like "Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun's Thanksgiving Story" by Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry, and Alexis Bunten, or "Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story" by Kevin Noble Maillard.

How can I support Native Americans around Thanksgiving?

Real support goes beyond performative gestures. Here’s a concrete list:

• Learn the Real History: Start with resources from the National Museum of the American Indian (americanindian.si.edu) or Native-led organizations.
• Know Whose Land You're On: Use native-land.ca and learn about the local tribes past and present. Acknowledge them meaningfully.
• Support Native Economies: Buy art, crafts, books, food directly from Native artists/businesses (platforms like beyondbuckskin.com, birchbarkbooks.com, tribal websites). Avoid mass-produced "Native-inspired" junk.
• Donate Intelligently: Give to organizations led *by* Native people addressing real needs: NDN Collective, Native American Rights Fund, IllumiNative, or specific tribal funds (education, health, language revitalization).
• Amplify Native Voices: Read Native news sources (Indian Country Today, Native News Online), follow Native activists and educators on social media, share their work.
• Respect Cultural Protocols: If attending events, learn and follow rules (photography, participation). Don't demand teachings.
• Challenge Stereotypes: Speak up against racist mascots, costumes, or inaccurate representations.

My Final Take: It's About Respect and Reality

So, circling back to that original question: Do Native Americans celebrate Thanksgiving? The clearest answer is: It's incredibly diverse. For some, it's a day of profound mourning and activism. For others, it's a cherished chance for family connection, often divorced from the Pilgrim narrative. For many, it's somewhere in between, or simply a day off. Blanket statements fail completely.

The core takeaway? Respect the complexity. Understand that the simplified, feel-good Thanksgiving story erases immense pain and ongoing injustice for Indigenous peoples. If you choose to gather, do so with awareness. Learn the history of the land you occupy. Support Native communities meaningfully – not just in November, but year-round. Move beyond the myth. Listen to diverse Native voices.

Ultimately, whether Native Americans celebrate Thanksgiving depends deeply on personal experience, family tradition, tribal affiliation, and individual perspective. There’s no single answer, just a spectrum shaped by centuries of history and resilience. The most important step is moving past the simple myth and engaging with the rich, challenging, and vital reality.