Consider This from NPR

The Indigenous Stories Glossed Over In The Typical 'First Thanksgiving' Story

Nov 24, 2021

Paula Peters, a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe and a passionate writer, provides a revealing look at the Thanksgiving narrative often glossed over in history. She discusses the intricate society of the Wampanoag before the Pilgrims arrived, their agricultural practices, and the struggles faced by Squanto during his life. The conversation also touches on the long-lasting impact of colonization and the importance of recognizing Indigenous perspectives today. Peters urges listeners to rethink the traditional story of Thanksgiving and its implications.

10:58

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Paula Peters

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

Revisiting the True Impact of Thanksgiving on Indigenous Peoples

2min

The Untold Complexity of Wampanoag Society and Early Encounters with Pilgrims

3min

Current Struggles and Historical Reflections of Indigenous Peoples

4min

The commonly-told version of the first Thanksgiving story leaves out a lot: The indigenous Wampanoag people who lived in a complex society long before the Mayflower arrived at Plymouth Rock; Squanto escaping bondage in Spain before becoming an emissary to the Pilgrims; and the long legacy of violent displacement that followed.

Paula Peters, a writer and a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, still lives near where the Pilgrims made landfall on her ancestral homeland. She talks about how the 1621 feast fits into history.

In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment that will help you make sense of what's going on in your community.

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