Highlighting contributions and history of Native Americans on Thanksgiving
47 ABC – When most people think about Thanksgiving, they think about enjoying homemade meals with family and taking time to be thankful. While members of the Nanticoke Indian Tribe in Delaware say those parts of the holiday are important, they’d like more people to recognize the history behind the holiday.
“We are still trying to educate not only ourselves but the public in regards to what celebrating thanksgiving should really be about,” says Bonnie Hall, a former tribal council member.
People across the country celebrate Thanksgiving every year. “Thanksgiving is a day of celebration of your blessings as an opportunity to share in fellowship fun and food with your family and friends,” says Hall.
Educators spend classroom time focusing on age appropriate lessons about the holiday. “We kind of just celebrated being around the table, being thankful for things and our friends and things that we love,” says Lyndsey McGee, a 1st grade teacher at Beaver Run Elementary.
But members of the Nanticoke Indian Tribe say there are larger discussions to be had. “I also think it’s an opportunity for us to think about the myths and misconceptions around the first Thanksgiving,” says Hall.
Nanticoke Tribe members say the history behind the holiday isn’t always taught. “I think the Native Americans were very giving of themselves and lost a lot by sharing and bearing gifts and celebrating the first Thanksgiving with the pilgrims,” says Hall.
But that’s why groups like the Nanticoke Indian Association continue to share the tribe’s history. “We have taken it on as a part of our mission and our charge to try to supplement that deficit,” says Hall.
Members tell 47 ABC they aren’t trying to change how people celebrate Thanksgiving. “We always hope that there’s an open forum. That we are able to educate them as to our culture our traditions and keeping it positive,” says Natosha Carmine, the chief of the Nanticoke Tribe.
However, they are hoping it can be the start of a larger conversation. “It should be a teachable moment in regards to what that celebration really entailed,” says Hall.
Members of the Nanticoke Tribe say they try and tour local schools, bringing small items like musical instruments and arrowheads to show students. They tell 47 ABC there are lessons that can be tailored to any age, to educate people about the contributions and history of Native Americans.
If you’re interested in learning more about Native Americans or the Nanticoke Indian Tribe, the Nanticoke Museum is free and open to the public. It’s actually the only Native American Museum in the state of Delaware and you can find it in Millsboro.
