published Nov 24, 2008 9:19 PM Following are excerpts from a
statement written by Mahtowin Munro (Lakota) and Moonanum James
(Wampanoag), co-leaders of United American Indians of New
England. Read the entire statement at www.uaine.org. Every year
since 1970, United American Indians of New England have
organized the National Day of Mourning observance in Plymouth at
noon on Thanksgiving Day. Every year, hundreds of Native people
and our supporters from all four directions join us. Every year,
including this year, Native people from throughout the Americas
will speak the truth about our history and about current issues
and struggles we are involved in. Why do hundreds of people
stand out in the cold rather than sit home eating turkey and
watching football? Do we have something against a harvest
festival? Of course not. But Thanksgiving in this country—and in
particular in Plymouth—is much more than a harvest home
festival. It is a celebration of pilgrim mythology. According to
this mythology, the pilgrims arriv