Day After Thanksgiving Observance: Native American Heritage Day

by: StuartH

Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 14:22:56 PM PST

Most people aren't aware of this, but last June, President Obama signed into law a joint resolution of the House and Senate, sponsored by Rep. Baca of California and Sen. Inouye of Hawaii, naming the Friday after Thanksgiving Native American Heritage Day, "to honor the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the United States."

The general truth, that we little understand the implications of what we celebrate, and that we should become more aware of our history and how others view it, is very appropriate to carry in our thoughts on this supposedly contemplative occasion.  

The Massacre For Which Thanksgiving Is Named (Pt.2)

by: winter rabbit

Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 08:04:18 AM PST

and out of that heightened violence came the massacre for which Thanksgiving is named.

The Massacre For Which Thanksgiving Is Named

by: winter rabbit

Thu Nov 19, 2009 at 14:21:08 PM PST

http://images.google...

"In a little more than one hour, five or six hundred of these barbarians

were dismissed from a world that was burdened with them."

"It may be demanded...Should not Christians have more mercy and

compassion? But...sometimes the Scripture declareth women and children must perish with their parents.... We had sufficient light from the word of God for our proceedings."

-Puritan divine Cotton Mather, Magnalia Christi Americana

How I Learned to Savor Thanksgiving

by: Meteor Blades

Sat Nov 22, 2008 at 14:29:34 PM PST

• • •

I forced myself to watch the History Channel's Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower last weekend. I don't feel as if I totally wasted my time. Including performances and interviews of some Wampanoags, descendants of the indigenes who saw the Pilgrims make landfall 388 years ago, made the program a good deal more palatable than it might have been.

I would have preferred a bit more about how one reason the Pilgrims were "persecuted" in England and Holland was because of their efforts to get everyone to comply with their own crabbed view of religion. Something they and the Puritans who followed them also did here in America. Not dissimilar from what some modern day others would like to do now. But what an improvement the program was over past efforts.

The Massacre For Which Thanksgiving Is Named

by: winter rabbit

Wed Nov 19, 2008 at 05:07:38 AM PST

http://images.google...

"In a little more than one hour, five or six hundred of these barbarians

were dismissed from a world that was burdened with them."

"It may be demanded...Should not Christians have more mercy and

compassion? But...sometimes the Scripture declareth women and children must perish with their parents.... We had sufficient light from the word of God for our proceedings."

-Puritan divine Cotton Mather, Magnalia Christi Americana

Thanksgiving

by: winter rabbit

Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 08:39:25 AM PST

http://images.google...

"In a little more than one hour, five or six hundred of these barbarians

were dismissed from a world that was burdened with them."

"It may be demanded...Should not Christians have more mercy and

compassion? But...sometimes the Scripture declareth women and children must perish with their parents.... We had sufficient light from the word of God for our proceedings."

-Puritan divine Cotton Mather, Magnalia Christi Americana

How I Learned to Savor Thanksgiving

by: Meteor Blades

Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 00:41:46 AM PST

I forced myself to watch the History Channel's Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower last weekend. I don't feel as if I totally wasted my time. Including performances and interviews of some Wampanoags, descendants of the indigenes who saw the Puritans make landfall 387 years ago, made the program a good deal more palatable than it might have been.

I would have preferred a bit more about how one reason the Pilgrims were "persecuted" in England and Holland was because of their efforts to get everyone to comply with their own crabbed view of religion. Something they also did here in America. Not dissimilar from what some modern day others would like to do now. But what an improvement the program was over past efforts.

Happy Thanksgiving! Pass the genocide gravy.

by: stormbear

Tue Nov 20, 2007 at 10:37:12 AM PST

Native American Heritage and Thanksgiving - A Resources Diary

by: sarac

Mon Nov 19, 2007 at 05:09:52 AM PST

American Indians, Native people, Native Americans - somehow Thanksgiving is one of the times in the year when I hear the word 'Indian' most often (unless casinos or a sports team are in the news). 

Which is no doubt why November is Native American Heritage Month.  Though I can't say I've seen any mainstream (ie, not on a blog) PR for that this year.  Have you?  Maybe it's just me... 

In any case, would you like to know more about Native American lives now, understand more about the past history, find out where they live, what they're working for, how they vote in your state?  How easy it is for them to register to vote in your state?

Or have you wondered about the truth behind the myths of Thanksgiving?  If you know about all that, ever wish you had an alternative curriculum for your local school teachers? 

Or would you just like some conversation pieces for the family dinner on Thursday?  Or a fry bread recipe?

Follow me over...