Reframing Thanksgiving:
Native Perspectives on Tradition, History, and Healing
Cynthia Featherson, California CASA DEI Manager
11/1/24
California currently has the largest Native American population in the United States at 800,000 tribal members as of 2024. There are 110 Federally recognized tribes in California and another 80 groups are seeking Federal recognition. Several California counties have significant Indigenous populations with the 6,000 enrolled members of the Yurok Tribe in Humboldt County being the largest, and Coachella Valley’s Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians being the smallest, with just 20 members. California’s rich Native American history and diversity includes these key areas as well as others:
Northern California: Humboldt, Del Norte, and Mendocino counties are home to tribes like the Yurok, Hupa, and Karuk. These areas retain a strong cultural presence, with tribal governments and active community organizations.
Central Valley: Fresno, Tulare, and Kern counties have significant Indigenous populations, including Yokuts and Mono communities. Some tribal land reclamation efforts are ongoing in these areas, reflecting a revival of cultural practices.
Southern California: Riverside and San Diego counties are hubs for numerous federally recognized tribes, such as the Cahuilla, Kumeyaay, and Luiseño peoples. San Diego has one of the largest concentrations of reservations in the state, with 18 federally recognized tribes.
Urban Centers: Los Angeles and Alameda counties also host large urban Native populations. While not tied to reservations, many urban Native Americans living here contribute to vibrant community centers and cultural events.
California Native American perspectives on Thanksgiving are diverse, but many reflect the desire to shift away from traditional narratives that obscure the impact of colonization on Indigenous communities. While some Native people choose to gather with family and give thanks, they also emphasize the importance of teaching the true history behind Thanksgiving. The holiday’s popular myth—depicting a harmonious feast between Pilgrims and Native people—tends to erase the historical trauma, genocide, and cultural destruction that followed colonization.
Some California Native individuals and groups advocate for the use of Thanksgiving as an opportunity to educate about these historical realities. Others prefer to focus on cultural traditions, such as Indigenous foodways or participation in local gatherings like powwows, instead of recognizing the holiday itself. Additionally, organizations like the Ancestral Guard promote food sovereignty as a way to reconnect with traditional Indigenous practices and challenge colonial narratives surrounding Thanksgiving meals.
There is also support for efforts to reframe the celebration toward values like gratitude, family, and togetherness, without endorsing the myths surrounding Pilgrims and Native peoples. This approach aligns with calls to make education about Indigenous history and culture a year-round effort, rather than confined to certain holidays
Some Native leaders see the re-examination of Thanksgiving as part of a broader movement toward truth-telling and reconciliation, which includes shifts like celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day in place of Columbus Day.
SOURCES: MPR News, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, Sierra Club, Smithsonian Magazine