A Culturally Sensitive Thanksgiving Classroom

For many students, Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude and be with family. Teachers often include fun activities related to the holiday in their classrooms. When teaching about Thanksgiving, it is important not to misrepresent Native American cultures. Native traditions have developed over thousands of years and are distinct and complex. They are also specific to each individual tribe. Projects and crafts that attempt to adapt or copy Native traditions tend to perpetuate stereotypes of Native Americans. We encourage you to re-think classic American narratives about this holiday and incorporate some of these activities instead in your classroom.

See Native Knowledge 360 at the National Museum of the American Indian:

https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/informational/rethinking-thanksgiving