Native American Heritage & Thanksgiving

When most Americans think of November, the first thing that pops into their minds is Thanksgiving. This uniquely American holiday is a time for crazy travel misadventures, delicious food, and quality time with friends and family. But November is also Native American Heritage Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of Native people. 

While Native American Heritage Month and Thanksgiving seem like distinct holidays, they are very intertwined. Thanksgiving is often framed as a joyful celebration of cooperation between Pilgrims and Native Americans, but history tells a more complicated and dark story. While there was a shared feast in 1621, the following years brought hardship, conflict, and colonization for Native peoples. 

For many Native Americans, Thanksgiving is a day of mourning. It is a time to remember the lives lost and the customs and cultural norms forcibly removed by European settlement. Native American Heritage Month’s goal is to bring to light the hundreds of years of oppression, racism, and genocide that need to be acknowledged. Acknowledging this history doesn’t diminish the holiday that most of us view with fondness; instead, it adds complexity and invites us to approach Thanksgiving with greater empathy and awareness. 

Here are steps to enjoy a conscious Thanksgiving: 

Educate Yourself and Others 

Familiarize yourself with the actual history of Thanksgiving and Native American oppression, and then share what you learn with others. Podcasts, books, and films can teach you about Native American Heritage and the colonization of America. 

Engaging with media about and created by Native American people is an enjoyable and entertaining way of learning more about their perspectives and current struggles. Watch the show Chiefs on TheArcive. The six-part series is the saga of the great leaders, warriors, and diplomats of the First Nations, whose stories form a central drama of the North American continent. A blend of documentary and dramatic reenactment, bringing to life the power, spirit, and mystery of the First Nations, the films also seek to separate the myth from the men. 

Another way to stay educated is to learn about all kinds of different cultures, histories, and traditions. For example, the series Religions of the World (1998), narrated by Ben Kingsley, offers an in-depth exploration of major and lesser-known religions. Through its 13 episodes, the series examines how various faiths have endured challenges and adapted to changing times. By learning about the beliefs and practices of smaller societies alongside global religions, you can develop a broader appreciation for cultural diversity, including the spiritual traditions of Native peoples.

Support Native American Businesses

One meaningful way to honor Native American Heritage Month is to support Native-owned businesses and artisans. Whether it’s purchasing handmade jewelry, artwork, clothing, or traditional foods, investing in Native enterprises helps sustain their communities and ensures their cultural heritage continues to thrive. 

As we sit down to our Thanksgiving meals this year, let’s express gratitude for the blessings in our lives and the enduring contributions of Native peoples. November offers a unique opportunity to blend tradition with education and action.

Looking for even more ways to watch and enjoy excellent movies & TV series?!? Head on over to YouTube and subscribe to Grapevine Documentaries, Multicom Entertainment, and TheArchive.These channels are dedicated to aficionados and lovers of cinema. You’ll find rare, retro, and restored films and TV, ranging from indies and series to Oscar-winning docs, unearthed MOWs, a killer horror library, and MORE!  

TheArchive channel is dedicated to aficionados and lovers of story, craft, and silver screen fun – streaming rare, retro, and restored films and classic TV. From indies and series, to Oscar winning documentaries, unearthed MOWs, and a killer horror library, TheArchive delivers forgotten, never-before-seen gems for free and many in 4K. Marilyn, Karloff, and Orson Welles stream alongside Reese, Keanu, and Samuel L. Jackson. Find true stories of Queen, Hendrix, and Sinatra, an LGBTQ library, MLK bios, and world history docs. TheArchive has the movies and shows you either saw, should’ve seen, or should be watching now!