National Day of Mourning 2023: Date, History, Importance, Reasons To be Grateful to Native Americans

A number of Native American words, including chia, coyote, tomato, poncho, and potato, have entered the English language.

National Day of Mourning 2023: National Day of Mourning occurs annually on November 23, which falls on the fourth Thursday of November this year. The occurrence of Thanksgiving in the United States on the fourth Thursday of November renders this date recognizable to some. On the National Day of Mourning, Native Americans in New England convene annually for a protest. Thanksgiving functions as a poignant reminder to them of the inequitable treatment inflicted upon Native Americans ever since the Plymouth landing in 1620.

National Day of Mourning 2023: History

All are reminded on National Day of Mourning that Thanksgiving is merely a portion of the greater narrative. Native Americans have been observing Thanksgiving Day at noon on Cole’s Hill in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in observance of a National Day of Mourning, since 1970.

In 1620, the Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth and instituted the initial colony. Thus, it is the oldest municipality in the state of New England. In contrast, numerous Native Americans abstain from commemorating the advent of European settlers, including the Pilgrims. They regard Thanksgiving as a sobering reminder of “the theft of Native lands and lands, the genocide against millions of Native people, and the relentless assault on Native culture.”

By participating, they demonstrate respect for Native ancestors and the ongoing struggles of Native peoples to endure. “In addition to being a day of spiritual connection and remembrance, it is a demonstration against the ongoing racism and oppression that Native Americans continue to face.”

The United American-Indians of New England (UAINE) are sponsoring this event. It is their contention that upon their arrival in North America, the Pilgrims appropriated tribal land without first establishing a mutually advantageous relationship with the indigenous people. Members of the UAINE hold the view that the colonizers “introduced racism, sexism, anti-homosexual prejudice, imprisonment, and the social class system.”

In general, the National Day of Mourning commences at noon and features a procession through Plymouth’s historic district. Although the UAINE promotes the participation of individuals from diverse backgrounds in the protests, invitations are extended exclusively to Native speakers who deliver speeches addressing historical challenges and contemporary triumphs of their people. Desserts, non-alcoholic beverages, fresh fruits and vegetables, or pre-cooked items are requested of attendees. Outsiders are welcome to attend the demonstration, which has drawn other minority activists.

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Reasons to Be Grateful to Native Americans

They are not new to this area.

Indigenous peoples have inhabited the territory that is now the United States since 12,000 BCE.

We greatly appreciate your service.

Despite not being recognized as citizens of the United States, more than 8,000 Native Americans participated in military service during World War I.

Who is your great-grandmother?

A considerable number of the earliest settlers in Virginia can trace their ancestry back to the Pocahontas.

A critical vocabulary instruction

A number of Native American words, including chia, coyote, tomato, poncho, and potato, have entered the English language.

National Day of Mourning 2023: Importance

It provides a significant historical instruction.

Frequently, the unjust treatment of Native Americans is glossed over in textbooks. On the contrary, National Day of Mourning serves as a poignant reminder that the indigenous populations of the Americas have endured an incalculable amount of mistreatment. It is crucial to engage in discourse.

The time has arrived for us to unite.

The National Day of Mourning is an occasion for demonstrators to unite in support of their shared convictions. UAINE has endeavored to strengthen government relations with indigenous populations.

It diverts our focus from the poultry.

Thanksgiving can indeed be a joyous occasion characterized by an abundance of delectable fare and quality time spent surrounded by cherished family and friends. Nevertheless, the purpose of the National Day of Mourning is to bring attention to the fact that the Thanksgiving holiday can be extremely distressing for certain individuals. A significant proportion of Native Americans residing in New England associate Thanksgiving with the mistreatment of their forebears.