Since 1970, Native Americans and our supporters have gathered at noon on Cole's Hill in Plymouth to commemorate a National Day of Mourning on the US thanksgiving holiday.
Many Native Americans do not celebrate the arrival of the Pilgrims and other European settlers. Thanksgiving day is a reminder of the genocide of millions of Native people, the theft of Native lands, and the relentless assault on Native culture. Participants in National Day of Mourning honor Native ancestors and the struggles of Native peoples to survive today. It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection as well as a protest of the racism and oppression which Native Americans continue to experience.
52nd Annual National Day of Mourning
November 25, 2021
12:00 Noon
Coles Hill, Plymouth, MA
ORIENTATION FOR NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING 11.25.21
- WHAT IS NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING?
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An annual tradition since 1970, Day of Mourning is a solemn, spiritual and highly political day. Many of us fast from sundown the day before through the afternoon of that day (and have a social after Day of Mourning so that participants in DOM can break their fasts). We are mourning our ancestors and the genocide of our peoples and the theft of our lands. NDOM is a day when we mourn, but we also feel our strength in action. Over the years, participants in Day of Mourning have buried Plymouth Rock a number of times, boarded the Mayflower replica, and placed ku klux klan sheets on the statue of William Bradford, etc.
- WHEN AND WHERE IS DAY OF MOURNING?
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Thursday, November 25, 2021 (U.S. "thanksgiving" day) at Cole's Hill, Plymouth, Massachusetts, 12 noon SHARP. Cole's Hill is the hill above Plymouth Rock in the Plymouth historic waterfront area.
- WILL THERE BE A MARCH?
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Yes, there will be a march through the historic district of Plymouth. Plymouth agreed, as part of the settlement of 10/19/98, that UAINE may march on National Day of Mourning without the need for a permit as long as we give the town advance notice.
- PROGRAM
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Although we very much welcome our non-Native supporters to stand with us, it is a day when only Indigenous people speak about our history and the struggles that are taking place throughout the Americas. Speakers will be by invitation only. This year's NDOM will have livestreaming from Plymouth as well as messages from Indigenous struggles in many homelands!
Please note that NDOM is not a commercial event, so we ask that people do not sell merchandise or distribute leaflets at the outdoor program. Also, we ask that you do not eat (unless you must do so for medical reasons) at the outdoor speak-out and march out of respect for the participants who are fasting. Finally, dress for the weather!
- SOCIAL
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To be announced.
- TRANSPORTATION
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To be announced. If you cannot get to Plymouth, you can watch online!
- DONATIONS
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Monetary donations are gratefully accepted to help defray the costs of the day and of UAINE’s many other efforts during the year: 2020-2021 GoFundMe Fundraiser
- FOR UPDATES
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Please join and check the UAINE Facebook group for updates on National Day of Mourning this year. Our UAINE website uaine.org will be updated, but not as quickly or frequently.
IF YOU CAN'T ATTEND NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING
How you can still support the National Day of Mourning even if you can't attend - 2020 PDF
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