A tribal chant rose from a thousand-strong prayer circle on San Francisco's Alcatraz Island on Thursday, as Native Americans held a sunrise "Unthanksgiving Day" ceremony.
"What we call it, is Unthanksgiving," Bear Lincoln of the Wailikie Tribe said as he waved burning sage to purify the area and ward off evil spirits.
Traditional Thanksgiving feasting in the US is a tribute to the meal the original European Pilgrims shared with the Native Americans who helped them survive in the new land. But it is not a day of celebration for the Wailkikie tribe.
Big mistake
"It was the saddest day for us. It was a big mistake for us to help the Pilgrims survive that first winter. They betrayed us once they got their strength," Lincoln said.
An estimated 3,000 people packed onto ferries that set out from Fisherman's Wharf for Alcatraz in the pre-dawn darkness on Thursday, according to organizers.
A bonfire blazed at the center of a prayer circle set up on a bluff beneath the Alcatraz lighthouse. And at the base of the rock wall leading up to the ruins of the former federal prison were a pair of Indian teepees.
"Ultimately, this is their land," said Irma Pinedo, a Mexico City native who was among the Aztec dancers taking part in the ceremony. "For us, no turkey today."
Turkey, which nearly became the national bird in the US instead of the eagle, is the main course at traditional Thanksgiving dinners.
"I take my children to this every year because I want them to understand there is another side to the story," said 41-year-old Erin Alexander, who added that the event has grown significantly since she began attending 12 years ago.
Groups representing Japanese, Palestinian, Aztec and African indigenous people joined Native Americans in dancing, chanting and prayers.
"Eventually, everyone is going to get their indigenous rights," a member of the Palestinian group told the gathering. "For many, it will be a right of return to their land."
Gary "Firewolf" Hsiao, 26, and his brother, Isaac "Mountain Lion" Rozco, 17, donned native American dress to join their tribal elder grandfather at the ceremony.
massacre
"When it comes down to it, this day reminds us that many of our people were massacred," he said.
"They have been terrorists since they landed on the East Coast in 1492, and they they are still doing it today in Iraq and other countries," Lincoln said of the pilgrims and their legacy.
"We are reminding them we are still here, and still surviving," Lincoln, 51, said.
Alcatraz Island became a symbol to tribes after a group of Native Americans occupied "The Rock" in 1969, after US authorities had closed the prison. Native Americans claimed the "abandoned" federal property under the terms of treaties between tribal and government leaders.
"When we took this island, it was like a shot around the Earth," said Chief Lone Walker, who was among the handful of native Americans who boated into the bay and set up camp on the island in November of 1969.
"Indians were dead, and this brought them back to life," said Walker, an 86-year-old Blackfeet Tribe member.
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