A Thanksgiving Tradition
—Allison Bedosky, Education Director
We all know the story of how the Pilgrims and Native Americans shared the first Thanksgiving together, but few of us realize how instrumental the Native Americans were to the success of this first celebration. The Pilgrims witnessed first-hand, the many ways that the Native Americans used the land and natural resources. Surprisingly, much of the food on your table this Thanksgiving may have been introduced by the Native Americans. How is that for tradition?
From the trees, to planting techniques and hunting, the Wampanoag tribe depended on the seasons and nature for survival. As a New England tribe, the Wampanoag had similar plant and animal species as we do here in Rye, NY. They used tulip trees to make the canoes used to travel to current day Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard. As one of the straightest and tallest eastern American hardwoods, tulip trees would have been hollowed out to make long, dugout canoes. White birch bark was used for their wigwams because of its tough, yet flexible texture, and waterproof qualities.
The Wampanoag were successful as both farmers and hunters, making the 1621 feast a treat for the Pilgrims. According to Edward Winslow, one of the only known settlers who recorded the details of this event, the Wampanoag tribe brought five deer, turkey, fish and corn. With the Atlantic Ocean close to both the tribe and Plymouth, shellfish, as well as other seafood were realistic options. As expert hunters, the Wampanoag tribe would have waited for the deer and fowl born in the spring to be grown in the fall and ready for hunting. In addition to deer and fowl, this tribe would have also hunted beaver. As farmers, the Wampanoag used a technique that we now refer to as companion planting for their three sisters garden. Companion planting is when different crops are placed in close proximity to benefit each other and increase productivity. The three sisters consist of corn, beans, and squash-all possibly present at the first feast. Corn would grow tall, and allow the beans to climb it for support, the beans provide nitrogen for the soil that the other plants need, and the squash grows low and covers the soil which prevents weeds from growing. The squash also acts as mulch and retains moisture in the soil. The Native Americans may have also used fish or eel as fertilizer, helping them to become successful farmers.
The settlers learned from the Wampanoag, and may have only been able to celebrate a day of thanks because of the contributions of this tribe. I may not be enjoying venison this Thanksgiving, but when I dig into my caramelized butternut squash, I will not only think of the traditional recipes passed down from my grandmother, but also the tradition of the first Thanksgiving feast.
Happy Thanksgiving!
