The Other Side of Thanksgiving: Honoring the Wampanoag people and Rethinking How We Celebrate
Traditionally, Thanksgiving commemorates the Pilgrims’ survival and their first harvest. Yet there’s another side to this story—the seldom-told story of the Wampanoag, the Indigenous people who made that first Thanksgiving possible.
The Wampanoag: People of the First Light
The Wampanoag, whose name means “People of the First Light,” were a thriving nation long before the Europeans arrived. Their territory included present-day Massachusetts and Rhode Island—Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket—and they lived on this land for over 12,000 years. Their language is known as Massachusett.
The Wampanoag were organized into 67 villages led by local chiefs, or sachems with one head sachem presiding over them. Both men and women could approve and hold leadership roles, and like other Indigenous people, inheritance was passed through the mother’s line. Women owned property and passed their land and legacy down to their female descendants.
The Wampanoag are said to live in harmony with the land. They followed the seasons—fishing the coast in the summer and hunting inland in winter. When the Pilgrims arrived in 1620, the Wampanoag had already faced nearly a hundred years European contact, including being kidnapped and enslaved. In 1616 their population was nearly wiped out from a 3-year epidemic carried by rats from from European ships. When the Pilgrims arrived, they thought the area had been abandoned. Despite immense loss, the Wampanoag people extended compassion and taught the newcomers how to survive.
A Legacy of Resilience and Generosity
The alliance between the Wampanoag and the Pilgrims was built on mutual need and gratitude. They taught the pilgrims to plant corn, beans, and squash and helped them endure their first harsh winters.
But within decades, disputes over land and colonization fractured this relationship. By the end of King Philip’s War, the Wampanoag population had plummeted to just a few hundred.
Today, an estimated 4,500 Wampanoag people remain in New England. Their culture, language, and sovereignty continue to be preserved—reminding us that gratitude and endurance have always been central to their story.
From Gratitude Then to Gratitude Now
When we look beyond the feast, Thanksgiving’s origin is one of gratitude, resourcefulness, and community—values that cost nothing but mean everything.
In today’s economy, the holiday can become expensive and stressful, but embracing the original spirit of simplicity can make it more meaningful and affordable. In today’s economy, I have advised my clients to focus more on inexpensive ways to celebrate. My favorite thing to do, as I have done here, is storytelling.
Low-Cost Ways to Celebrate with Meaning
Here are some thoughtful, budget-friendly traditions to bring gratitude back to your table:
Having younger family members interview elders and share their stories of resilience, lessons, or first Thanksgivings.
Ask everyone to write their own story and let the group guess who it is.
Create a family history game or trivia night based on your own heritage.
Research and share stories of Indigenous peoples, like the Wampanoag, to honor their legacy and broaden cultural understanding.
These activities don’t just save money — they deepen connection, preserve family history, as well as, foster cultural awareness and empathy by exposing everyone to different perspectives. A win-win, in my opinion.
So, this year, try limiting the amount of food and shopping. By establishing your own traditions your family can lower costs while creating amazing memories.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Lana | Financial Coach | LWilliam, Personal Finance
www.lwilliamfinance.com
