Community Chat

[Still keeper of the koi]

I am 1/2 native american,Schaticoke,  While I come from  granddaughter of famous chiefs., my struggle was not theirs,my brothers use the given names, me my white name,they speak in native tongue, me  english.Those old ways and angers are long gone.We now seek like everyone else peace.To think a native nation holds  the deeds done against the past in contempt is a fairy tale. Anytime people give thanks is peaceful to the soul...Native Americans practice the art of thanks everyday to the mother of all, to the creator.When we put names on our selves we separate ourselves further...We are Americans,  not   separate groups... We need to live together, and respect traditions. We all have a human struggle...MaryAnne,ps my great,great ,great grandfather the  was the first NA Vetern who fought with the patriots for this land,a monument is in our town  recognized in 1940s  after many, many years... proud to be an American..

[september]

Have not read all the responses, but my daughter's boyfriend's  family is from the UK...and they love Thanksgiving ...maybe more than I do!

[Moonchilde]

Thank you for your post, @Still keeper of the koi.

It’s very welcome to hear that there are Native Americans who don’t “hold it against” European colonists and their descendants. At this time of year, we tend to hear the opposite more than your POV.

I’ve always found it very moving how many Native Americans have gravitated towards serving in the military, and how so many pow wows and gatherings begin with a salute/honoring their veterans over all else.

[Moonchilde]

@september, it’s interesting that our Thanksgiving (including keeping the exact US day) is becoming so popular in the UK (I’ve done some reading up). I think it’s cool :-)

[toja]

@Moonchilde 

I wasn't born in this country, I came here as an adult, so I add my 2 cents...

I celebrate Thanksgiving, always have. You are right, it's an inclusive holiday, and very easy to embrace but I have to say that as much as I like it, I will never feel it the same way as all those who celebrated it since they were children... 

Like any holiday, it's the family, memories, traditions, food, smells that we remember and accumulate over the years that make it special, and I missed all of that

So maybe those who tell you that they don't celebrate Thanksgiving actually mean that they don't have the same emotional attachment to it like Americans who were born here do.

[Moonchilde]

@toja, thank you so much for your post!

Yes, I’m sure that it’s different for those who came to the US later in life to celebrate any holiday they didn’t celebrate as children; you (and they) will make your own history through the years. As you say, you appreciate the holiday as you experience it now, and it will be for your children and grandchildren to make the “from childhood” memories.

And yes, I totally understand about the emotional attachment - that takes many years to have. 

But the idea of having a special day just to be thankful for what we have, and to perhaps feel some sadness for those less fortunate anywhere and everywhere, is a Good Thing, however you feel it :-)

[tansy]

My mother was a British war bride and disliked the holiday thoroughly.  Her MIL, my grandma, was an overbearing woman who quickly dumped Thanksgiving dinner on her, plus she and my grandpa stayed with us for several nights.  

[Fiero Woman]

As a part native American I have always celebrated Thanksgiving as a day of thanks for all the blessing that have been received and to help a familyor families who have not been so blessed.  My Cherokee Grandmother also observed Thanksgiving in the same way.  To her, it was a family day and a day to enjoy each other and our blessings and blessings weren't always material.  I have continued that heritage to this day.

[Moonchilde]

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@Fiero Woman wrote:

As a part native American I have always celebrated Thanksgiving as a day of thanks for all the blessing that have been received and to help a familyor families who have not been so blessed.  My Cherokee Grandmother also observed Thanksgiving in the same way.  To her, it was a family day and a day to enjoy each other and our blessings and blessings weren't always material.  I have continued that heritage to this day.

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@Fiero Woman - lovely :-)

[Cakers3]

For those seeking documentation of Native American ancestors in this country-Native Americans were not identified in any federal census from 1790-1840.

Native Americans living in the general population were first identified in 1860.

Fire destroyed the records from 1890.

From 1900 Native Americans on reservations and in the general populations both were identified for the first time.

This explains why records are missing in ancestry searches and can deter finding Native American roots in those centuries.