#colonization and the wampanoag story

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Judd Legum at Popular Information:

A Texas county has mandated public libraries move a well-regarded children's book documenting the mistreatment of Native Americans in New England — Colonization and the Wampanoag Story — from the "non-fiction" section to "fiction." The decision was made after the government of Montgomery County, under pressure from right-wing activists, removed librarians from the process of reviewing children's books and replaced them with a "Citizens Review Committee." Colonization and the Wampanoag Story was "challenged" by an unknown person on September 10, 2024. The Committee responded by ordering that the book be moved to the fiction section of public libraries in Montgomery County by October 17, 2024, according to public records obtained by the Texas Freedom To Read Project shared with Popular Information.  The author of Colonization and the Wampanoag Story is Linda Coombs, a "historian from the Wampanoag Tribe." Coombs spent three decades working at the Wampanoag Indigenous Program, an initiative to preserve the history of the Wampanoag people. The book is published by Penguin Random House, which describes the book as "[t]he true story of the Indigenous Nations of the American Northeast, including the Wampanoag nation and others, and their history up to present day."

[...] The change to the book review process was driven by a local right-wing group, Two Moms and Some Books. The group is led by Michele Nuckolls, a local mother. Nuckolls believes "children’s books with alternate gender ideology to be moved to the adult section." The group also is demanding more "conservative and Christian’s [sic] books in the public library." The group is especially enthusiastic about titles from Brave Books, which publishes children's books from far-right authors like Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Donald Trump's former press secretary Sean Spicer, and Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn. In case there is any confusion about the objectives of the group, its slogan is "Make Libraries Great Again!" 

[...] Under the new policy, once a children's book is challenged, it must immediately be moved to the adult section, with only adults allowed to access it. The book is then considered by the Citizens Review Committee at a meeting that is "closed to the public except for the Resident who made a formal request for review." The decisions of the Citizen's Review Committee are final, and there is no appeals process.  From the outset, critics of the new policy warned that it could be abused. 

Another disturbing instance of the right-wing book-banning crusade against content featuring diverse voices has occurred, this time in Montgomery County, Texas, directly north of Houston. The book in question was Colonization and the Wampanoag Story, which was moved from “non-fiction” to “fiction”

[antinativefaves]

YOUR FAVE IS ANTI NATIVE: THE MONTGOMERY CITIZENS REVIEW COMMITTEE

[themuseumofwitchcraftandpaganism]

These are not my images; these are from the National Indian Education Association. It's important to recognize the colonization that happened and promote indigenous voices.

I've actually read Braiding Sweetgrass and highly recommend it. It really helped me identify so much that I take for granted and feel grateful for it. And it turns out feeling grateful and appreciating the world around you is better than living in the pessimistic news cycle or your own thoughts or whatever else. I highly recommend reading it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

[middlegradeeveryday]

Colonization and the Wampanoag Story by Linda Coombs

Summary:

When you think about the beginning of the American story, what comes to mind? Three ships in 1492, or perhaps buckled hats and shoes stepping off of the Mayflower, ready to start a new country. But the truth is, Christopher Columbus, the Pilgrims, and the Colonists didn't arrive to a vast, empty land ready to be developed. They arrived to find people and communities living in harmony with the land they had inhabited for thousands of years, and they quickly disrupted everything they saw.

From its "discovery" by Europeans to the first Thanksgiving, the story of America's earliest days has been carefully misrepresented. Told from the perspective of the New England Indigenous Nations that these outsiders found when they arrived, this is the true story of how America as we know it today began.

Genre: Nonfiction

Book Type: Informational

[news4dzhozhar]

[vpgoldenrod]

I'd like to talk about why I hate "Indigenous People's Day." (Trigger warning for sexual violence and body horror.)

It's well meaning, I think. And for the longest I appreciated it. But part of the insidious nature of genocide is that it erases culture, and lumping the over one thousand independent tribes of the Americas as “indigenous peoples,” a broad term for people who existed in a land before they were colonized, does exactly that.

Christopher Columbus was a vile pendejo whose torture and genocide of my ancestors was so disgusting that he was arrested and tried for horrific acts that included live dismemberment, cannibalism and sexual crimes even against children. In 1500 Columbus wrote,

“A hundred castellanoes are easily obtained for a woman as a farm...and there are plenty of dealers who go about looking for girls; those from about nine to ten are now in demand.”

Bartolome de Las Casas was a Spanish priest and contemporary of Columbus who detailed many of his abuses. After watching Columbus and his men dismember, decapitate and otherwise murder over 3,000 Taino people in a single day wrote,

“Such inhumanities and barbarisms were committed in my sight as no age can parallel...My eyes have seen these acts so foreign to human nature that now I tremble as I write.”

I want day of remembrance for the Iraquios, the Cherokee, the Lenape, the Shawnee. Replacing Thanksgiving with a day of remembrance of the Wampanoag tribe would be a great start, I think.

But the story of Christopher Columbus is the story of the suffering of the Taino, the Arawak, and the Lucayan. Please remember them.

[ralfmaximus]

A Texas county has mandated public libraries move a well-regarded children's book documenting the mistreatment of Native Americans in New England — Colonization and the Wampanoag Story — from the "non-fiction" section to "fiction." The decision was made after the government of Montgomery County, under pressure from right-wing activists, removed librarians from the process of reviewing children's books and replaced them with a "Citizens Review Committee." Colonization and the Wampanoag Story was "challenged" by an unknown person on September 10, 2024. The Committee responded by ordering that the book be moved to the fiction section of public libraries in Montgomery County by October 17, 2024

Note that it usually only takes one person to "challenge" a library book for the whole process of book removal/banning/reclassification to begin. In many cases where hundreds of books are challenged, all the challenges come from one person.

And in this case, the librarians made the correct, informed decision but the MAGA weirdos in charge didn't like that. So they changed the rules.

Happy Columbus Day Indigenous Peoples Day!

[the-aila-test]

I'm an indigenous (Seaconke Wampanoag) author and my book, which does indeed pass the Aila test, has just launched - I'd hugely appreciate it if you'd be willing to reccomend it to your followers: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/706010/to-shape-a-dragons-breath-by-moniquill-blackgoose/

EVERYONE LOOK AT THIS!!!

First of all, THAT COVER:

I love everything about that design, the color choices are just so bold and powerful!

But then the story's description!!!!

Is this NDN Eragon?!??

Because I am HERE for an NDN Eragon!

Thank you so much for sharing <3 I can't wait to buy and read this!

[moniquill]

"Wopanaak Repatriation" by Julia Marden

As soon as Europeans washed up on our shores they started digging up our ancestors graves and looting their bones and funerary items. Our ancestors are in Museums and private collections all over the world. As soon as this started we have fought to have our ancestors returned. It’s taking centuries to convince them to return our ancestors. Thankfully it’s slowly happening. There are indigenous people across the country fighting this battle to have our ancestors returned to their homelands for reburial. Once they are returned research is done to identify who they are and what community they are from. They are quietly and privately reburied in hope they are safe and won’t be dug up again. Many indigenous people today are cremated instead of traditional burials just to make sure they don’t end up in a box on a shelf in some museum or private collection somewhere.

“Wampum Belt Designs” The clipper ship represents European colonization, the man in the top hat represent European looters, the upside down people represent our deceased ancestors that are dug up and placed in museums and private collections, the native man is taken back our ancestors from the museum and returning them back to their resting place.

This Wampum Belt and it’s designs are from a dream Kenny Alves had. He is one of our repatriation officers for the Wampanoag Nation. While I’m the maker of this powerful Wampum Belt this is not my story or design. Words can not begin to explain the incredible honor it has been to be trusted with the making of such a powerful Wampum Belt for Kenny Alves who I love with all my heart and for all of our repatriation officers.

[heavenboy09]

30 YEARS AGO, ON OCTOBER 28TH, 1994 🪶✊🏾🤎

WALT DISNEY PICTURES PRESENTS

A HISTORICAL ACTION ADVENTURE FILM 🎥

OF A NATIVE AMERICAN LEGEND

WHO CHANGED HISTORY IN AMERICA

It's the 17th century, and Native American Squanto (Adam Beach) roams free in the New World until he's captured by visiting sailors who take him back to England.

Monk Brother Daniel (Mandy Patinkin) teaches him social customs, but other Englishmen aren't as kind.

Squanto becomes the unwilling star of performances that highlight his fighting skills, but he eventually engineers a return trip to America.

He finds that his home has changed forever, and he must chart a new path for his people.

This is the Tale of a Young Warrior who must escape his captor and help his people fight for freedom against the Oppression of Colonization.

HIS NAME IS LEGEND AND HIS STORY MADE HISTORY.

WALT DISNEY PICTURES PRESENTS

SQUANTO : A WARRIOR'S TALE 🪶✊🏾🤎

HAPPY BELATED 30TH ANNIVERSARY TO WALT DISNEY PICTURES

SQUANTO : A WARRIOR'S TALE 🪶✊🏾🤎

#SquantoAWarriorsTale

#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #NativeAmericanHeritage #NativeAmericanLivesMatter #nativeamerican #nativepride #wampanoag #Squanto #WaltDisneyPictures

[chocooolatte]

[Image description:

Image 1 - a tweet by Jewish Voice for Peace (@jvplive), reading:

On this day, Indigenous people and allies confront the settler-colonial narratives of "Thanksgiving," observing it instead as a National Day of Mourning. The whitewashed story of unity with the Wampanoag people-who have long lived in southeastern Massachusetts and eastern Rhode Island-obscures the true history and ongoing violence against Indigenous life. 🧵[Thread emoji]

Image 2 - a graphic showing the effects of native land dispossession in recent history. In the top half, an outline of Palestine is shown four times, in the years 1918, 1947, 1960, and 2022, from left to right. It starts out almost completely black, and progressively gets more white over time. In the bottom half, an outline of the United States of America is shown four times, in 1492, 1776, 1840, and 2022, from left to right and top to bottom; 1492 shows a completely black map, which progressively gets more white. Both maps by 2022 show an almost completely white map. At the bottom, a key/legend shows that black represents land inhabited and stewarded by natives, and white represents land controlled by settlers. In the right corner is the logo of Jewish Voice for Peace.

Image 3 - two tweets by Jewish Voice for Peace. The first reads:

Today and every day, we contemplate parallels between the colonization of Turtle Island and Palestine. Supporting Palestinians' right to return and right to self-determination in their homeland goes hand in hand with supporting Indigenous people's demand for [hashtag Land Back]—for restoration of Indigenous sovereignty and stewardship, and respect for their deep connection to and knowledge of their lands.

The second is a reply to the first and reads:

Genocide. Land theft. Ethnic cleansing. Environmental destruction. Forced displacement of people from their homes, and sequestration into isolated areas with (artificially) scarce resources. Criminalization and surveillance. Colonial control over lives, and denial of self-determination and sovereignty. Erasure of native history and culture. Ideologies (Manifest Destiny, Zionism) of entitlement to, and justification for, these atrocities.

/end image description]

[spiritualcuriosities]

Thanksgiving is a colonizer holiday that has been used to sweep a history of horrific violence and genocide under a rug of kumbaya and niceties. AND that being said I read something awhile ago that really shifted my views on the nuances of the mythologized "first thanksgiving". I can't find it now, but rather than playing into the noble savage stereotype which has sometimes been used to portray the group in the story as naive, it paints the Wampanoag's aid as a political move. It speculated that Massasoit was actually making a diplomatic show of strength - he was leader of a well populated, healthy, and thriving domain that was prosperous enough to be able to share resources with a potentially adversarial but much weaker community. It stands to reason that one would rather ally (and pay tribute to maintain relations) with such a strong group rather than be enemies. Of course, in the years that followed, settlers committed atrocities stealing and massacring. Hence, the Day of Mourning.

I can't say whether this interpretation has much merit based in primary sources or contemporary accounts - I am not an expert or a scholar in this - but it is an interesting take to consider and returns some agency to the narrative that I think is often stripped away in favor of a neat, digestible, "kid friendly" story

[theusaleaders]

10 Interesting Facts about Thanksgiving: How Well Do You Know the History and Traditions?

“Ever wondered about the Facts about Thanksgiving? Why is it celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November? What’s on the menu, and how has this tradition evolved over time? Dive into the intriguing history now!”

If you are curious about these questions, you are in the right  place! As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, let’s take a moment to explore some fascinating fun facts about Thanksgiving. 

In this blog, we will take a look at everything you need to know about Thanksgiving Day, one of the most important and popular holidays in the United States.

So, let’s get started!

What is Thanksgiving and why it is celebrated and when and where?

Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday in the United States and Canada that celebrates the harvest and other blessings of the past year.

It is a time to express gratitude to God, family, friends, and the community for all the good things in life. It is also a time to enjoy a feast of traditional foods, such as turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and more.

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and on the second Monday of October in Canada.

The date of Thanksgiving varies from year to year, but it always falls between November 22 and November 28 in the United States and between October 8 and October 14 in Canada. The motto behind Thanksgiving is to give thanks for the bounty of nature and the generosity of others.

This year, Thanksgiving will fall on Nov 28th 2024, Thursday

History of Thanksgiving Day

Let’s dive into Thanksgiving history facts as we understand its history over time.

The history of Thanksgiving Day goes back to the early days of European colonization in North America.

The first Thanksgiving is widely believed to have taken place in 1621, when the Pilgrims, who had arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts the previous year, shared a harvest feast with the Wampanoag Native Americans, who had helped them survive the harsh winter.

The feast lasted for three days and included deer, corn, shellfish, and wildfowl. However, this was not the first time that Europeans and Native Americans had celebrated the harvest together.

In fact, some historians argue that the first Thanksgiving in North America was actually held in 1565, when Spanish settlers in St. Augustine, Florida, shared a meal with the local Timucua people to mark their arrival and give thanks to God.

The tradition of Thanksgiving continued in various forms and dates throughout the colonies and states, but it was not until 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving to be observed on the last Thursday of November.

10 Facts about Thanksgiving Day

Here are 10 facts about Thanksgiving Day that you may find interesting and surprising. I have also provided the links from where I got the data for the facts.

The first Thanksgiving did not include turkey.

Although turkey is the centerpiece of most modern Thanksgiving tables, there is no evidence that the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag ate turkey at their feast.

The only meat that is mentioned in the historical accounts is venison, which the Wampanoag brought as a gift.

The Pilgrims may have also hunted wild fowl, such as ducks, geese, or swans, but not necessarily turkey. These are great facts about Thanksgiving to share at your next holiday gathering!

2. The first Thanksgiving was not a one-day event.

The feast that the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag shared in 1621 lasted for three days, according to the eyewitness account of Edward Winslow, one of the Pilgrim leaders. The celebration included not only eating, but also games, sports, and entertainment.

The Wampanoag demonstrated their skills in archery and running, while the Pilgrims showed off their muskets and cannons. The two groups also sang and danced together, and exchanged gifts and stories.

3. The first Thanksgiving in 1621 was not called Thanksgiving.

The Pilgrims and the Wampanoag did not use this term to describe their feast, which was more of a harvest celebration than a religious observance.

The word Thanksgiving was first used in 1623 when the Pilgrims held a day of prayer and fasting to thank God for ending a drought that threatened their crops.  These details are just a few interesting facts about Thanksgiving.

Click below mentioned link to check 10 Facts about Thanksgiving Day:

[frnwhcom]

Thanksgiving: A Tapestry of Unity and Conflict Throughout American History

The true story of Thanksgiving weaves together a tapestry of complex historical events, revealing both moments of unity and tragic conflicts that have shaped the American experience. It begins with the early 17th-century Pilgrims and Wampanoag coming together for a harvest feast in 1621—a moment of cooperation amidst the challenges of colonization. However, as the colonies expanded, tensions escalated, leading to the Pequot Massacre of 1637, a brutal episode reflecting the darker side of European-Native American relations. The narrative then moves to the mid-17th century, where King Philip’s War (1675-1678) unfolded, illustrating the profound consequences of cultural clashes and land disputes. The aftermath of this conflict left lasting scars on both Native American and colonial communities, setting the stage for the complexities of future interactions. Fast forward to the early 19th century, and the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811 becomes a precursor to the War of 1812 on the western front. As the young nation faced external threats, it also grappled with internal tensions, including conflicts with Native American tribes resisting westward expansion. In the midst of this historical backdrop, President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863 during the Civil War. This act aimed to foster unity and gratitude during a period of deep division, highlighting the power of a shared tradition to bring people together despite profound challenges. The true story of Thanksgiving encompasses moments of cooperation, tragic conflicts, and national strife. It serves as a reminder that history is complex, and the holiday itself reflects the resilience of a nation navigating through adversity, seeking unity, and expressing gratitude even in the face of historical complexities. Read the full article

[winningthesweepstakes]

Race to the Truth: Colonization and the Wampanoag Story by Linda Coombs

Race to the Truth: Colonization and the Wampanoag Story by Linda Coombs. Crown Books for Young Readers, Random House Children’s Books, 2023. 9780593480434 Rating 1-5 (5 is an excellent or Starred review): 3.5 Format: Paperback What did you like about the book? The book is structured as two strands woven together. The first is “When Life Was Our Own,” an historical fiction story about a…

[dandywondrous]

It’s Native American Heritage Month

Photo by Tailyr Irvine

(11/24/2023) In addition to learning and celebrating the history of indigenous peoples, we must support indigenous peoples and communities that are alive today and have been alive for centuries.

I currently live on the lands of the Wyandot, Mississauga, Potawatomi, and Anishinabek people. These people lived here for thousands of years before white settlers colonized the land in the 1800s. I will always support indigenous liberation and sovereignty.

To my non-native US and Canadian followers -- if you’re new to the Land Back Movement, you can start by learning whose land you’re on here. Land acknowledgment is the first step, and from there you can reach out to your neighboring First Nation to start building relationships and learn how you can support them. There are still SO many non-native folks in the U.S. who don’t know the history of American colonialism and acts of state-sanctioned genocide committed against Native Americans -- acts that are still ongoing to this day. I know this is kinda poli sci 101 and this has been said already, but we need to continue educating ourselves and each other. Education is one of our greatest tools in the fight against colonialism and imperialism. Knowing that, I'm sharing some current issues that are threatening indigenous people and communities. These are not exclusively indigenous issues either -- they are issues that concern humanity as a whole.

It is also important we build our communities around things that are positive such as art, literature, and culture. So to bolster these things, I'm also sharing some indigenous content creators, authors, and shops. Thank you to @help-ivebeen-turned-into-aparrot for the recommendations and expanding this list!

Remember history, celebrate Native American heritage, and stay informed! Links below the cut.

Current Major Issues (as of November 2023)

Navajo Nation Water Rights Overview (NARF) Resources and how to help (from 2020, still valuable)

Alaskan Ambler Road Overview (Winter Wildlands Alliance) Paving Tundra, a short documentary Take action

Nevada Lithium Mine Overview (First Nations) People of Red Mountain/how to help

Missing And Murdered Indigenous Women Info and overview (Native Hope) Mission

Native American History and Culture

The books and articles with links are freely available. To read the others, you might be able to find them at a nearby library using WorldCat.

Introduction to Native American History by Native Hope

Stories, Dreams, and Ceremonies: Anishinaabe ways of learning by Leanne Simpson

Origin and Traditional History of the Wyandotts by Peter D. Clarke

Handbook of North American Indians, Volume 11: Great Basin by William C. Sturtevant and Warren L. D'Azevedo

Shoshonean Peoples and the Overland Trails by Dale L. Morgan

Diné History of Navajoland by Klara Kelley and Harris Francis

Native American-Owned Shops

Thunder Voice Hat Co. - handmade hats, hat accessories, and other apparel. Kotah Bear - blankets, robes, and jewelry. Owned by two people of Navajo Nation, selling art and jewelry made by Navajo and Pueblo artists. Manitobah - moccasins, mukluks, and other winterwear. A global brand founded by Sean McCormick, a Métis entrepreneur. Also has the Indigenous Market, which sells handmade products by indigenous artists from Canada and the US. Little Inuk Beadwork - jewelry and accessories. Made by Lillian Putulik, Inuk artist. Mobilize - streetwear and fashion. Founded by Dusty LeGrande, Nehiyaw artist and activist. Based in Edmonton, CA.

Authors

Moniquill Blackgoose - science fiction and fantasy. Seaconke Wampanoag author. To Shape A Dragon's Breath Angeline Boulley - young adult thriller fiction. Chippewa author. Firekeeper's Daughter Cherie Dimaline - Métis author, mostly YA fiction. The Marrow Thieves, Hunting by Stars, Funeral Songs for Dying Girls Darcie Little Badger - science fiction and fantasy. Lipan Apache author. Elatsoe, A Snake Falls to Earth Stephen Graham Jones - horror fiction. Blackfoot Native American author. The Only Good Indians, Mongrels, After the People Lights Have Gone Off Delphine Red Shirt - autobiographies, culture, oral tradition. Oglala Lakota author. Turtle Lung Woman's Granddaughter, Bead on an Anthill: A Lakota Childhood, George Sword's Warrior Narratives Dani Trujillo - romance. Chicana/Pueblo author. Lizards Hold the Sun

Content Creators

Che Jim - humor, skits, social and political issues. Diné/Nishnaabe/Chicano content creator. Lillian Putulik - art and jewelry. Nunavik Inuk artist. Bossii Masu Nagaruk - current events and social and political issues. Iñupiaq content creator. David Little Elk - educating about and celebrating Oglala Lakota tribal wisdom. Oglala content creator. Edgar Martin del Campo - educating about cultures, languages, and religions of indigenous peoples of North and South America. Casey (aka Hot Glue Burns on insta) - cosplay and cosplay design/creation.