Thanksgiving and the American Indian Today | Historical Ideas Thanksgiving

For quite some time now, American Indian groups have been asking Euro-centric America to please include Native history in school textbooks, and in Thanksgiving holiday “remembrances.” Native America is also asking Americans to be aware of the differences between the 500+ indigenous tribes, and to understand the difficulties imposed by the Plains Indian stereotype perpetuated, in part, by the traditional observances of the national Thanksgiving holiday.

Additionally, Euro-centric America is being asked to extend a little more as good neighbors.

The problem is that while most Native persons in US territories express appreciation for the good will that stems from the national Thanksgiving holiday observance, if we listen to what Native Peoples are saying the rest of the year, we find that Thanksgiving hasn’t really been an effective platform for good will; we still have a large segment of our Native population that feels forgotten and ostracized.

Let Thanksgiving take on a new assignment of honoring and blessing our Native Peoples. Take the time to look in on your Native neighbors, and get to know their current concerns. And by all means, learn the controversial history that has so long been withheld in our K-12 classrooms.

Most importantly, listen. Yes, what Native America has to say to Euro-centric America might be critical, but constructive criticism is always valuable. For example, it is Native America who has pointed out to Euro-centric America that we are generally ignorant of our national history. Being first to listen may be uncomfortable, but it is the beginning of wisdom, and potentially the beginning of better cross-cultural relationships in this country.

We can do this America!

Tags: native stereotypes, american indian today, traditions american

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