The Wampanoag View of Thanksgiving
Many people know the story of a big fall meal shared by the Pilgrims and Native people long ago. For the Wampanoag people, the story begins much earlier, and it feels very different.
The Wampanoag are Native people who have lived by the Atlantic Ocean for thousands of years. Their name means "People of the First Light." Long before English ships arrived, the Wampanoag gave thanks every day. They thanked the earth for clean water, green forests, and food. They held special thanksgiving feasts all year round, such as when sweet strawberries ripened in spring or when green corn grew tall in summer.
In 1620, English settlers called Pilgrims arrived on Wampanoag land. The Wampanoag had just lost many family members to sickness. Still, their leader chose to make peace with the newcomers. A Native man named Tisquantum showed the settlers how to plant corn, beans, and squash together. He also showed them where to catch fish. Without this help, the settlers would not have had enough food to live.
- ripened:
- Became fully grown and ready to eat.
- settlers:
- People who move to a new place to build homes and live there.
- harvest:
- The time when grown food crops are gathered from the land.
- celebrate:
- To do something special for an important day or happy event.
- ancestors:
- Family members who lived a long, long time ago.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Where have the Wampanoag people lived for thousands of years?
- 2What does the name "Wampanoag" mean?
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About this informational passage for 2nd Grade
“The Wampanoag View of Thanksgiving” is a informational reading passage about Wampanoag History, written for 2nd Grade. It takes about 2 minutes to read (296 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.