A Multicultural Thanksgiving
By: Victoria Gonzalez
The second Monday of October marks Thanksgiving; a day that unites families over turkey, mash and pumpkin pie. While Thanksgiving is popular and adored among North Americans, it is
often a new holiday for many international students. I was born in Venezuela and had the privilege of moving to Canada in ‘08. The importance of family reunions, coming together for meals and practicing thankfulness have always been embedded in my culture – despite never having a specific day on which we celebrated. Throughout the years, my family and I have cultivated our own traditions to embrace and take part in the special day fully! If this is your first Thanksgiving in Canada, here is a simple guide behind the holiday’s origins and practices – remember the best part is finding your own unique way to celebrate!
A Bit of History…
While there are disputes among historians, the first European Thanksgiving in North Americatook place in the year 1578 and directly correlated to English explorer, Martin Frobisher. After a long and treacherous voyage, a Thanksgiving feast of biscuits, beef and peas was shared and enjoyed in celebration of the crew’s safe arrival in present-day Nunavut. In 1879 the Canadian parliament declared Thanksgiving a national holiday – a day dedicated to the fall season, counting our successes, and giving thanks to those we love. While the holiday has historical ties to European exploration, it is of utmost importance to recognize the Indigenous people who inhabited the land long before, practicing their own traditions and hosting communal feasts in celebration of the fall harvest! Present-day Thanksgiving looks different for all individuals, especially in a diverse country like Canada. Many international visitors have put their own twist on the holiday while still practicing acts of gratitude, helping Thanksgiving become a universally beloved celebration.
Practicing Thankfulness
Thanksgiving is linked with fall weather, cozy sweaters and pumpkin-spiced everything — but it is so much more! The true spirit of the holiday is all about reflecting on our blessings of the past year. While the turkey dinner may seem like the focus of the day, having a discussion with loved ones about the things you’re grateful for is the real purpose of Thanksgiving. No matter where you come from, or what your experiences have been, the holiday gives an opportunity to focus solely on the positive aspects of your life, however small they may be.
Blending Traditions
As Canadians, the way in which we celebrate Thanksgiving has changed and expanded to include people of all backgrounds. Being of Hispanic descent, my family’s version of Thanksgiving is quite different from what typically comes to mind. Besides starting dinner at 9 pm rather than 6 pm, and blasting our favourite music, we have intertwined much of our own culture with the typical Canadian Thanksgiving. Some years we prepare a turkey, accompanied with our own cultural foods, and other years we simply go out for a nice dinner. We spend the day giving thanks for living in a first-world country, and for all the opportunities we’ve encountered in our time here. It can be hard to find things to be grateful for, especially when separated from your home and family, but Thanksgiving can be the perfect opportunity to celebrate your roots!
