The food that you prepare for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner is, more often than not, rooted in the traditional foods prepared by the Native American tribes in the Eastern part of the United States. Turkey, potatoes, corn, beans, squash, and pumpkins are all foods that are indigenous to the Americas. Native people have contributed greatly to the cultivation and creation of recipes. In my family we celebrate with a traditional feast that acknowledges our connection to our tribal ancestry and take the time to bond with our loved ones and give thanks for the blessings of this life. And while many consider this Holiday to be problematic considering the history, I can only speak from my experience having lived on five different reservations here in the States: Reclaim it as a traditional feast where we celebrate that we have survived another year. Reclaim it in the honor of ALL of your family and your ancestors. Make it your own. We can acknowledge the past without having to live in the past.
We have a wonderful selection of cookbooks that you can check out from San Jose Public Library. Some of these books are written by contemporary Native American chefs, who have taken traditional foods and remade them into gourmet cuisine. Why not add one of these recipes to your Holiday table? We will be sharing our feast with our friends and celebrating the culmination of Native American Heritage Month!
Booklist:
For more information on the Native Perspectives on Thanksgiving, please view this previous year's blog from 2022. I highly recommend the books mentioned in that blog for a historic overview.
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