The fourth Thursday in November marks Thanksgiving Day for most Americans. But to some, it’s the “National Day of Mourning.”

This past week our country set aside a day to be thankful for the people and the blessings we enjoy through life.

For more than half a century, groups of Native Americans have been gathering on Thanksgiving to mark a National Day of Mourning at a historic site in Massachusetts. They honor their ancestors who were subject to atrocities by settlers in the 17th century.

The ceremony dates back to 1970 when Kisha James‘ grandfather was invited to speak at a commemoration of the 350th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ arrival in Plymouth.

There are more than 570 federally recognized tribes across the country, including several in Minnesota and Wisconsin.