The fourth Thursday in November is observed as Unthanksgiving Day, also referred to as the National Day of Mourning or the Indigenous Peoples Sunrise Ceremony. The date for it this year is November 24. On Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, a yearly celebration honoring and advancing the rights of America’s indigenous peoples takes place. You may not be aware, but today is also Thanksgiving Day. Yes, the decision to hold the event on Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 4, was intentional on the part of the organizers.
What is Unthanksgiving Day
Unthanksgiving Day, sometimes referred to as Un-Thanksgiving Day or The Indigenous Peoples Sunrise Ceremony, is an annual celebration on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. Unthanksgiving Day, which coincides with the Massachusetts National Day of Mourning and serves as a protest against Thanksgiving, celebrates indigenous people and champions their rights. It honors the indigenous people’s tenacity throughout the ages and remembers their persistence in surviving after the European colonization of the Americas.
Unthanksgiving Day History
The majority of us are aware that Thanksgiving Day always occurs on the fourth Thursday in November. Unthanksgiving Day, which occurs on the same day as Thanksgiving, is unknown to many of us. Additionally, Massachusetts’s National Day of Mourning falls on the same day.
This holiday is regarded as a counter-celebration to Thanksgiving Day that honors and supports the rights of Native Americans. It remembers the persistence and resilience of indigenous peoples across time in the face of European colonialism in the Americas.
Unthanksgiving Day has a fascinating history. Soon after the prison was shut down in 1963, native people started making attempts to retake Alcatraz Island. Several Native Americans took over the island of Alcatraz in San Francisco on November 20, 1969.
Before they were forcibly evacuated by the American government on June 11, 1971, several indigenous Americans joined the civil rights movement during this 19-month period and voiced their concerns.
On November 27, 1975, the International Treaty Council and American Indian Contemporary Arts together staged the first Unthanksgiving Day. Unthanksgiving Day was chosen to be observed on Thanksgiving Day in order to raise awareness of the suffering that Indians experienced as a result of European settlers. Alcatraz Island is now accessible to the public, and tourists frequently go there to observe the sunrise, advocate for the rights of indigenous people, and honor their heritage.
Unthanksgiving Day Activities
Attend the Indigenous Peoples Sunrise Ceremony on Alcatraz Island to mark the occasion. You could then spend some time touring the island. Verify if supper is being held in conjunction with the event later in the day. You can read the Alcatraz Proclamation, read a book like The American Indian Occupation of Alcatraz Island: Red Power and Self-Determination, watch a documentary like Taking Alcatraz or Alcatraz Is Not an Island, or donate money to the International Indian Treaty Council if you can’t make it to Alcatraz.
Encourage their voices.
Supporting the rights and voices of native people is a wonderful way to honor this day. Additionally, you can support their cause in any manner you can.
Raising awareness
There are no adequate words to describe the pain that the indigenous people experience, and many people are unaware of it. You can use this day to educate others about their struggles and past.
Go to Alcatraz
On Thanksgiving Day, you are welcome to visit Alcatraz Island. You can participate in the celebrations as well as join thousands of people there in mourning for the native people who have died.
Unthanksgiving Day Quotes
“Unthanksgiving Day,” also known as the National Day of Mourning, is observed by some Indigenous people in the United States as a day of remembrance and resistance. It’s a time to reflect on the historical and ongoing injustices faced by Native Americans and to honor their resilience and strength. Here are some quotes that capture the spirit of Unthanksgiving Day:
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“On Unthanksgiving Day, we remember and honor the resilience of Indigenous peoples, standing strong against the tide of history.”
- “This day is not about celebration for all. It’s about acknowledging the pain and loss endured by Indigenous communities and recognizing their fight for justice.”
- “Unthanksgiving Day is a time to listen, learn, and reflect on the true history of this land, a history often overshadowed by myths and half-truths.”
- “In the spirit of Unthanksgiving, let us stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities, acknowledging their stories and struggles, and working towards a more just and equitable future.”
- “As we commemorate Unthanksgiving Day, let us challenge the narratives that have silenced Indigenous voices and strive for a more inclusive and truthful telling of our shared history.”
- “Unthanksgiving is not about erasing history; it’s about facing it, learning from it, and ensuring a more just and equitable future for all.”
- “On this Unthanksgiving Day, let us amplify the voices of Indigenous people, honor their rich cultures, and stand against the ongoing injustices they face.”
- “May Unthanksgiving be a day of reflection, a day to confront the uncomfortable truths of our history, and a day to commit to building a more just and respectful future.”
- “Unthanksgiving is a solemn reminder that the story of America includes the voices and experiences of Indigenous peoples, often overlooked but central to our nation’s narrative.”
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“In the spirit of Unthanksgiving, let us work towards understanding, reconciliation, and a future where the rights and dignity of Indigenous peoples are fully recognized and respected.”
These quotes aim to convey a sense of reflection, acknowledgment, and solidarity with Indigenous communities on Unthanksgiving Day.
