Nicki, I read both articles and am pleased to know that there are others who have the same feelings I do about the "Thanksgiving Myth". In my NA forum I rarely mention Thanksgiving because it is a sensitive subject to most Native Americans. One friend of my forum says the "first Thanksgiving was meant to be a goodbye party for the pilgrims" - history shows us that the pilgrims did not get that.
The "history" taught in grade schools about the Indians and Pilgrims is based on facts but has been stretched way out of proportion and gilded to the point of becoming a fairy tale.
Squanto, who allegedly came as a friend to help the starving pilgrims learn what seeds to plant for food, was a member of the Patuxet tribe which belonged to the Wampanoag confederation. Prior to 1614, little is known about Squanto and his early life. An interesting biography of Squanto can be read at
Squanto Even as a child, I often wondered how was it that Squanto could speak such good English at that time - did he attend college? No - he and several other members of his tribe were captured, shipped to the Straits of Gibralter and sold into slavery. He learned English while in captivity while his whole tribe was wiped out back home from plague.
Personally, I think the PBS documentary,
We Shall Remain, should become part of the school curriculum. This film portrays a 300 year history at the heart of America and is much more accurate than the myths now taught in school. The entire episode can be viewed online at
We Shall Remain It is not an easy film to watch for Native Americans and may be too graphic in some parts for young children, but, it is very well documented and needs to be told and learned.