The Indigenous people present at the "first Thanksgiving" in 1621 were the Wampanoag, led by their sachem (chief) Massasoit, who attended the harvest feast with about ninety Wampanoag men and contributed significantly to the celebration.
Who Were the Wampanoag?
The Wampanoag had lived in the region now known as southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island for over 12,000 years before European settlers arrived. By 1621, they faced severe losses from recent epidemics brought by earlier European contact, making alliances with newcomers strategically important.
Role at the First Thanksgiving
- Massasoit and about ninety Wampanoag men attended the three-day celebration at Plymouth.
- The Wampanoag contributed key foods to the feast, including five deer (venison), as well as seafood like fish and shellfish, corn, squash, and maple syrup.
- Native Americans had long practiced their own thanksgiving ceremonies related to the harvest, so the concept was familiar to them even before the Pilgrims arrived.
Notable Individuals
- Massasoit: The Wampanoag sachem who led his people at the gathering and negotiated alliances with the settlers.
- Squanto (Tisquantum): A Wampanoag who played an essential role as interpreter and guide for the settlers, teaching them survival skills such as planting corn with fish for fertilizer.
Facts and Clarifications
- There were more Wampanoag attendees (about 90) than there were English settlers at the feast (about 50); modern artistic renditions often underrepresent the Indigenous presence.
- The event was not called “Thanksgiving” at the time, and Native participation may not have been formally invited but resulted from a mix of diplomacy, response to gunfire, and proximity.
- Indigenous knowledge and generosity were crucial for the survival of the Pilgrims through the harsh winters, and their contributions continue to influence Thanksgiving traditions.
In summary, the Wampanoag people, particularly Massasoit and his delegation, were present and integral to what would later be known as the first Thanksgiving, shaping both the meal and the survival of the Plymouth settlers.
