SKINS uncovers truth of Thanksgiving


By JOSH MOODY Hub Staff Writer | Posted: Saturday, November 23, 2013 6:30 am


KEARNEY — Thanksgiving traditions include family gatherings, to expressions of gratitude, gorging
on turkey and pumpkin pie, football, Black Friday and myths, a University of Nebraska at Kearney
organization says.


The Student Kouncil of Intertribal Nations will talk about what Thanksgiving is about in its
presentation “The Truth About Thanksgiving” at 6 p.m. Monday at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area.
“It’s not really a fairy tale story,” said SKINS President Andy Becerra, a junior education major from
Lexington. “It was really brutal.”


Becerra said that Thanksgiving has as many myths as it does traditions and that the violent history
shared by the pilgrims and Native Americans is often forgotten. Becerra believes Thanksgiving has
departed from the actual giving of thanks to a focus on rampant consumerism.


“We’re not trying to ruin the holiday. We’re just trying to show what really did happen and why we
should be truly thankful for what we do have,” Becerra said.


“The purpose of the event is to promote Native American heritage,” said SKINS Treasurer Stephany
Tejada, a sophomore business administration major from Grand Island. “It’s an eye-opener to see what
we are truly celebrating.”


Tejada said she, too, thinks Thanksgiving has departed from its origins with recent traditions such as
Thanksgiving Day football and Black Friday.


“Some stores are open on Thanksgiving Day and workers have to be there instead of being with their
family,” Tejada said. “Year by year, it gets worse. The stores start opening earlier and earlier. The time
to be thankful with your family is pretty much gone now. People are more concentrated on the
shopping, the holiday coming up, getting the sales.”


UNK professor Jeanne Stolzer, who teaches in the family studies and interior design department, said
there is much rich history surrounding Thanksgiving, but much of it has been forgotten or largely
ignored.


“We’re going to have a discussion about the native peoples,” said Stolzer, who described the event as
an open forum in which she will give a short presentation.


“I don’t want this to just be a lecture where people are quiet and docile. I want them to start some
topics and be engaged,” she said. Stolzer said she is interested in what the audience members think and
know and what their experiences have been.In addition to the open forum and presentation there will be skits and snacks provided by SKINS.

Transportation to the event will be provided.
email to:
josh.moody@kearneyhub.com

http://www.kearneyhub.com/news/local...9bb2963f4.html