Objectives
Essential Questions
Activities
1. Get together with a partner. While one of you describes what you know about the origin of the Thanksgiving holiday, the other one writes down key words and images from your description. (Note: If necessary, draw out elements of the origin story that relate to Native Americans.) Where did you learn these stories? What ideas or values do you think of when you celebrate Thanksgiving?
2. With your same partner, one of you read, The Suppressed Speech of Wamsutta James, and the other reads, Thanksgiving: A Native American View. After you finished reading, take turns summarizing what you read to each other.
- Examine how diverse groups can perceive shared experiences differently
- Review commentary from indigenous writers about Thanksgiving
- Make inferences and draw conclusions based on written information
Essential Questions
- How and why do we celebrate Thanksgiving?
- What is the story of Thanksgiving from a Native American perspective?
Activities
1. Get together with a partner. While one of you describes what you know about the origin of the Thanksgiving holiday, the other one writes down key words and images from your description. (Note: If necessary, draw out elements of the origin story that relate to Native Americans.) Where did you learn these stories? What ideas or values do you think of when you celebrate Thanksgiving?
2. With your same partner, one of you read, The Suppressed Speech of Wamsutta James, and the other reads, Thanksgiving: A Native American View. After you finished reading, take turns summarizing what you read to each other.
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3. As a class, discuss:
- Reflect back on the values of Thanksgiving you described at the start of the activity. Did the Pilgrims uphold these values in their treatment toward the Indians? Why?
- What was new to you in the authors' descriptions of the first Thanksgiving? Why do you think these details are sometimes omitted from popular culture's take on Thanksgiving?
- Why does Keeler refer to Native Americans as a "very select group of survivors"? Is her characterization consistent with James's perception? Why?
- Wamsutta James' speech inspired some Native Americans to boycott Thanksgiving and instead observe a National Day of Mourning. Keeler takes a slightly different approach. Which approach makes the most sense to you? Why?
- Keeler sees present-day Thanksgiving celebrations as a tool for healing. What are ways this can happen? Does the Day of Mourning advance or hinder healing? Why?
- In what ways are James's and Keeler's perspectives gifts to our nation?