Fall, 1621
Hear the words that I, Assawetough, sister of the Wampanoag tribe say to you. I tell you now of the great feast that took place between our people and the English immigrants. I hope my words will someday be a testament of the friendship and lasting bond of our two peoples.
It was Samoset who first began to help the English last year when they arrived. They were starving and did not know how to hunt and enjoy bounty from the land. Samoset and Tisquantum, whom the English called “Squanto”, showed them how to hunt and grow corn and other crops. Some had already starved last winter. If it had not been for Tisquantum, all of the English would have starved.
Our great chief, Massasoit, told us of the great bounty the earth had given the English. He also told us there was to be a three-day feast to celebrate the great harvest. Massasoit brought many of us to the feast. Many of the English were angry and looked at us with distrust. We later learned that only Massasoit had been expected to attend. We ate much and hoped that the English would grow to trust us.
I do not know what will happen, nor what the Great Spirit wills for us. We wish only to continue to live in peace and safety, to enjoy the land and its gifts. Perhaps, one day, I will journey far across the water to England and feast with those who have not yet come. Perhaps then, our nations will understand one another.
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