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Join us in honoring the National Day of Mourning (Native American) on the fourth Thursday of November. This day is a time to reflect, remember and mourn the tragic history of Native Americans in the United States. It's an opportunity to honor those who have been lost to genocide, colonialism and oppression. The day has been marked since 1970 when a group of Wampanoag Indians gathered at Plymouth Rock to protest the US celebration of Thanksgiving. Since then, this day has become an important symbol for Native American people around the country as they come together in solidarity and remembrance.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1970</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Day of Mourning Origins</div><div class='timeline-text'>The National Day of Mourning was initiated by a group of Wampanoag Indians at Plymouth Rock as a counter-celebration to the American Thanksgiving holiday.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1978</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>American Indian Religious Freedom Act</div><div class='timeline-text'>This Act was passed to protect and preserve for American Indians their inherent right to believe, express and exercise their traditional religions.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1990</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act</div><div class='timeline-text'>This Act was passed to ensure the rights of Native American tribes to their human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Day of Mourning Protests</div><div class='timeline-text'>At the turn of the 21st century, The National Day of Mourning took root as a figurehead for protest and advocacy for Native American rights and recognition.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2016</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Standing Rock Protests</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Day of Mourning was highlighted in light of the Standing Rock protests, which aimed to halt the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline across sacred Native American lands.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a local event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Many Native American tribes will be holding events in honor of National Day of Mourning. Attend one of these events and take part in the ceremony, such as a prayer or lighting of candles.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Educate yourself</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take the time to learn more about the history and culture of Native Americans and how their lives have been impacted by colonization. Read books, watch documentaries, and attend lectures.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Donate to a Native American charity</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find a Native American charity that is working to address the challenges faced by many Indigenous people today. Your donation can help them continue their work and make a difference.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Fly the Native American flag</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Fly the Native American flag at your home or workplace to show your support for indigenous populations. You can also encourage others to do the same.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a sacred site</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find a sacred site near you and spend some time there in meditation or prayer. This is a good way to honor the history and culture of Native Americans and pay your respects.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It recognizes the genocide of Native Americans</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The Day of Mourning recognizes and remembers the genocide of Native Americans that began with Columbus' arrival in 1492. It serves as a reminder that colonization has had a devastating effect on native communities and cultures, and highlights the injustices that have been done to these peoples over time.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings attention to current issues</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The Day of Mourning also raises awareness of the current challenges faced by Native American communities. From rising unemployment rates to lack of healthcare access, this day is an important reminder that there is still work to be done in order to ensure equal rights and opportunities forAll.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It honors the contributions of Indigenous people</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>In addition to recognizing the suffering endured by Native Americans, National Day of Mourning also honors their immense contributions to our society. From inventing intricate languages to introducing us to amazing forms of art and literature, Native Americans have enriched our lives in countless ways - and this day allows us to thank them for all they have done.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The National Day of Mourning Was Inspired by Frank James</h3><p class='facts-content'>Frank James, also known as Wamsutta, was reportedly asked to give a speech at a Thanksgiving Day celebration in 1970, but was disinvited when the organizers saw the content of his speech. It led to the first ever National Day of Mourning.<p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The National Day of Mourning is Simultaneously Celebrated with Thanksgiving</h3><p class='facts-content'>While Americans gather around tables for Thanksgiving, others gather at the top Coles Hill, overlooking Plymouth Rock, to remember the death and hardships inflicted on Native Americans since the arrival of European settlers.<p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Plymouth Rock is Buried on National Day of Mourning</h3><p class='facts-content'>During the observance of the National Day of Mourning, held every fourth Thursday of November, the infamous Plymouth Rock is buried under a pile of sand or covered by a wooden plank by participants as a symbolic gesture.<p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The National Day of Mourning Led to the Year of Mourning in 2020</h3><p class='facts-content'>Marking the 400th anniversary of the landing of the Mayflower, Native American groups observed a Year of Mourning in 2020, with a series of events lamenting the devastation caused by colonialism.<p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Event has Grown Over the Years</h3><p class='facts-content'>Over its fifty years of commemoration, the National Day of Mourning event has grown from a small gathering of Native Americans to an event attended by hundreds of people from various races and ethnicities all over the country.<p></div></div>
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