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Native American Girls Describe the REAL History Behind Thanksgiving

6 Native American girls school us on the REAL history of Thanksgiving.

Released on 11/22/2016

Transcript

Happy Thanksgiving, America.

I'm Daunnette and I'm here with my friends

to tell you the real history behind this holiday.

(Epic Quest by Carlton Banksy)

Growing up, I knew that what they told you in school

about Thanksgiving wasn't true.

That's not the true story.

The true story behind Thanksgiving was,

after every killing of a whole village,

these European settlers celebrated it

and they called it Thanksgiving.

But it wasn't until Abraham Lincoln became president

that it became an official holiday.

He ordered 38 Dakota men to be hung for war crimes.

After the sacred holiday, Christmas.

We take this time to remember our elders,

who lost their lives due to what really happened.

Usually my mom makes

a Native American dish for us and we pray.

Growing up, I would be kind of annoyed

that didn't know what actually happened on Thanksgiving,

and that they're actually celebrating the deaths

of many people and many tribes that were lost.

Whether it's to give thanks or to be with your family,

you should learn how the holiday

was established in the first place.

I'm thankful for being born indigenous to this continent.

I'm thankful that I still have my culture.

I'm thankful that my elders

kept our culture alive all these years.

I'm thankful to be indigenous, resilient, and alive.

I'm thankful for us all to be able to stand together,

stand strong, and stand as one.

[Girls] Happy Thanksgiving, America.

(dishes and silverware clatter)

Director: Kelly Teacher

Gaffers: Nicholas Kral and John Blazzi Sound Technician: AM Zick Stylist: Kirby Marzec Makeup: Suzy Gerstein for Honey Artists Hair: Corey Tuttle for Honey Artists Prop Stylist: Rosie Turnbull Featuring: Laurel Cotton, Duannette Reyome, Evannah Moniz-Reyome, Kiera Thompson, Wacantkiya Mani Win Eagle, and Wanbli Waunsila Win Eagle. Special Thanks to Beverly Cotton, Jon Eagle Sr., Martina Miller-Eagle, Launa Reyome, Rodney Reyome, and Tisha Thompson