San Francisco is My Home

20
Nov

The other side of Thanksgiving

Author: kris, Category: Events, Landmarks

In 1969, thousands of Native Americans occupied Alcatraz to demand fair treatment for Native Americans from the government. Bigger than your average hippie sit-in, the 18-month long protest drew national attention to the plight of Native Americans for the first time in the 20th century, some experts say.

Though the occupation ended, the International Indian Treaty Council still returns to Alcatraz every year at sunrise on Thanksgiving, “to celebrate [their] resistance and give thanks for [their] survival.” The event features speakers and dancers from several different tribes.

Everyone is welcome to attend the celebration, though the last boat departs for the former prison at 6:00 a.m. (Boats start moving at 4:00 a.m.) Tickets are $12 per person, though kids 5 and under are free, and the event is wheelchair accessible.

This can be a good way to introduce your kids to the other side of the Thanksgiving story, as well as a small moment of zen for you before the crazy cooking and football and visits from your deaf great-aunt begin.