How to Acknowledge Native American History Today, According to an Anthropologist

A growing movement to “decolonize” Thanksgiving and honor indigenous peoples is making the holiday even more meaningful. The approach emphasizes gratitude and unity while also addressing the difficult and often overlooked history behind the day. “It is important to set the record straight, acknowledge native peoples, debunk myths, and show Native Americans as contemporary people with dynamic, thriving cultures who have profoundly impacted our current food system,” Abbie Adams, a cultural anthropologist at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, said in an article for the school. Adams suggested turning away from the “pilgrims and Indians” narrative many are taught, and listed four unifying values to keep top of mind: “generosity, gratitude, community, and good food.”
In addition to recognizing the true history of European colonization in the Americas and turning away from harmful stereotypes of Native Americans, her tips for a more meaningful Thanksgiving include adding traditional Indigenous-grown fruits and vegetables like the “three sisters” (beans, squash, and corn) to your table.