USA Today: The pilgrims didn't invite Native Americans to a feast. Why it matters.

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With the upcoming holiday, known by many as Thanksgiving but recognized by Native American communities as the National Day of Mourning, Peters and other Indigenous activists and scholars are advocating for the recognition of the Wampanoag's true history. They say that must be grounded in the fact that they existed far before and long after the pilgrims' first harvest feast.

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The History Channel says that the pilgrims invited the Native Americans to the feast, but Peters said that part is a myth.

"There wasn't an invitation extended to invite the Wampanoag to come and feast with them," she said. "It was really quite by accident, that there were any shared festivities at all."

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Whetstone said she hopes that as people sit with the truth, they feel inspired to take action. She suggested the following:

- Changing language to reflect the history of the day by calling it "Truthsgiving" or "Thankstaking"

- Incorporating more indigenous foods into Thanksgiving meals

- Donate or participate in local action events

Whetstone emphasized that, as Indigenous peoples are not a monolith, many will have different opinions and relationships to the day.

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