A Perspective on Thanksgiving by the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation

Have you ever asked a Native American person “Do you celebrate Thanksgiving?” Our community at the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation has heard the question many times. The narratives in our varied responses are often more painful and confusing than the traditional Thanksgiving story — and yet the values behind the holiday’s legend are true to and inspired by many Native American cultures.
The old-fashioned story of a feast shared by the Pilgrims and Native Americans is typically portrayed as a moment of mutual cooperation and gratitude. It’s illustrated with images of feathers and regalia intermingling with starched white shirts, overalls and wide-brimmed hats over a table brimming with turkey, stuffing, potatoes and pies.
But that simple question — how and whether Native Americans celebrate the holiday — is an excellent opportunity for Natives to share an Indigenous perspective of what it means to designate time toward giving thanks, sharing with others, and celebrating a people’s continued existence.
For many Natives, Thanksgiving intertwines themes of loss, resilience, and a redefined sense of generosity. The relationship between Native Americans and European settlers is historically one of broken treaties, land dispossession and violent conflict. Understandably, the legacy of Thanksgiving will forever be linked to centuries of systemic oppression and colonization experienced by Native peoples.
And yet, the fundamental concept behind the holiday — generosity — is indeed deeply significant to many Native American cultures, and often embedded in community and spiritual practices.
Many tribes celebrate seasonal gatherings and harvest festivals, emphasizing gratitude and communal sharing. These traditions predate the Thanksgiving holiday, and for Native families, these traditional celebrations offer a richer, more nuanced understanding of culture and generosity.
The Potlatch ceremony among the Pacific Northwest tribes is a prime example. This event involves the host giving away possessions to display wealth, social status, and communal responsibility. The Potlatch underscores the belief that true wealth is measured by what one can give away rather than accumulate. Both the United States and Canada banned Potlatches. (Canada’s ban ran from 1884 to 1951, and the U.S. ban is noted as starting in the late 19th century and ending in 1934.)
Despite the ban, potlatching continued in secret for decades. Numerous tribes petitioned the government to remove the law against “a custom that they saw as no worse than Christmas, when friends were feasted, and gifts were exchanged,” according to the New World Encyclopedia.
Similarly, the Navajo tradition of Kinaalda, a coming-of-age ceremony, includes elements of sharing and community support, reinforcing social bonds through acts of generosity.
For most Native Americans, generosity is not confined to a single holiday, but is a continuous practice embedded in everyday life. It reflects a philosophy of interconnectedness and sharing, where the well-being of the community takes precedence over individual gain.
Despite the somber reflection surrounding Thanksgiving, the holiday is also used by many Native people as a time to honor their ancestors, celebrate cultural survival and advocate for Indigenous rights. This duality of mourning and resilience embodies the strength and enduring spirit of Native peoples. It is also an opportunity to reclaim and redefine the narratives — a chance for them to educate others about true history and celebrate their cultural heritage on their own terms.
Indigenous artists, writers, and activists are increasingly using their platforms to share stories that challenge stereotypes and honor their traditions. Organizations like United Indians of All Tribes Foundation have been instrumental in advocating for Native rights and raising awareness about Native issues. This work underscores the importance of listening to Native voices and recognizing their contributions to the broader American society.
The Native American perspective on Thanksgiving invites all of us to reflect deeply on the meanings of generosity and gratitude. It asks us to confront uncomfortable truths about the nation’s history and to acknowledge the resilience and contributions of Indigenous peoples. By broadening our understanding of Thanksgiving, we can move towards a more inclusive and respectful celebration that honors all voices.
Embracing this perspective requires both reflection and action. It involves supporting Indigenous-led initiatives, educating ourselves and others, and fostering a spirit of generosity that extends beyond material gifts to encompass justice, equity and solidarity.
In this way, Thanksgiving can become not just a time for giving thanks, but also a moment of reckoning, reconciliation, and renewed commitment to building a more inclusive, just and generous society.

HOW TO SUPPORT Native-LED ORGANIZATIONS in November
PCC and co-op partners are joining together this year to support Native American-led organizations through our holiday celebrations. Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday of the year for grocery stores. This year, PCC and co-op partners from across the country are joining together to raise awareness and support for Indigenous-led and serving organizations, including a local partnership with United Indians of All Tribes Foundation. This local partnership inspired a national co-op campaign supporting Indigenous-led organizations.
- Support United Indians directly through this link, and learn more about its Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center here.
- PCC will donate a portion of every Field Day product sold between Oct. 30 and Dec. 3, up to $15,000, to the United Indian of All Tribes Foundation, which provides social, cultural, and educational services for Indigenous people in the Puget Sound region.
- Inspired by this local partnership, National Co-op Grocers (NCG) will donate 5 cents from the sale of every Field Day product sold at food co-ops across the country to North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS), dedicated to addressing the economic and health crises affecting Native communities by re-establishing Native foodways. All 164 of NCG’s member food co-ops are participating, including PCC. Field Day, considered an everyday value-priced natural and organic brand, was chosen because more affordable food options rarely go on additional sale or are included in fundraisers, according to NCG. “Being able to support positive changes in our society doesn’t have to be a privilege for the wealthy,” a spokesperson said. NCG makes donations that are aligned with its advocacy guidelines, and this donation is part of ongoing work to contribute to a more inclusive economy, food justice and racial equity. NATIFS was chosen as the recipient because food co-ops support communities localizing and controlling their own food systems. “We support communities that are working towards food sovereignty, which is NATIFS’ mission.”
- Starting in November and just in time for the holiday season, PCC is hosting a pop-up with Eighth Generation for bar soap, crew socks, hip bags, mugs, notebooks, pen sets, serving platters and bowls, and dish towels. Owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe, Eighth Generation partners with community-based Native artists to design, manufacture and market wool blankets and gifts for all. In doing so, they are boldly reclaiming control over the market for products featuring Native art and the stories that go with them — all while building the business capacity of their artist partners through the Inspired Natives Project.