The common story of America’s first Thanksgiving includes how a Native American man named Squanto, shortened from Tisquantum, showed the Pilgrims how to get food after they landed in Massachusetts, on the Mayflower in 1620. It is widely believed without his help they would not have survived the winter.
Little is known for certain but he was thought to have been captured by Captain George Weymouth, who had been commissioned by the Plymouth Company to explore the coast of Maine and Massachusetts. Weymouth thought his financial backers in Britain might want to see some Indians. Squanto, then sold into slavery became fluent in English, escaped and returned home in 1619. He returned to find his entire Tribe dead from smallpox; another gift from the settlers.
While a hero to the settlers he came to be reviled by all indigenous people because he brokered terrible treaties with the settlers that led to them being chased from their homeland. Missed this part in your history class? Don’t even get me started on slavery.
Water under the bridge, right? Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your Turkey!