What does a Shinnecock Thanksgiving look like?
Every November, the Shinnecocks of Long Island gather together at the community center on the Indian reservation in Southampton to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Except, it’s called Nunnowa (pronounced NONE-Oh-WAH) and it’s celebrated on the Thursday before Thanksgiving.
“As indigenous people, we tend to have different feasts according to the different seasons. So Nunnowa is to celebrate the harvest,” said Autumn Rose Williams, a member of the tribe and the reigning Miss Native American.
The Shinnecocks celebrate Nunnowa a week earlier than Thanksgiving because in the past, members weren’t able to celebrate on the day of the holiday because they had to work, according to Williams.
The food served is similar to typical Thanksgiving foods — turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. They also serve succotash, collard greens, pasta and wild rice.
Drummers beat a drum throughout the night, while singing traditional chants.
Williams and her family also still celebrate Thanksgiving on the actual day, but likes that her Shinnecock culture gives her two occasions to bring the family together.
Here’s a look at this year’s Nunnowa celebration.
Credit: Kimberly Yuen
Reigning Miss Native American USA and Shinnecock member Autumn Rose Williams shows off her plate of food at the Nunnowa celebration at the Shinnecock Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2017.
Credit: Kimberly Yuen
Shinnecock members beat the drum while singing traditional chants at the annual Nunnowa celebration at the Shinnecock Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2017.
Credit: Kimberly Yuen
About a hundred members of the Shinnecock tribe gather for the annual Nunnowa celebration at the Shinnecock Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2017.
Credit: Kimberly Yuen
Members of the Shinnecock tribe get plates of food at the annual Nunnowa celebration at the Shinnecock Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2017.
Credit: Kimberly Yuen
A table has traditional Native American crafts on sale at the Shinnecock Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2017.
Credit: Kimberly Yuen
The seal of the Shinnecock Indian Nation is displayed in the Shinnecock Community Center on Nov. 17, 2017.
Credit: Kimberly Yuen
Members of the Shinnecock tribe serve food at the annual Nunnowa celebration at the Shinnecock Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2017.
Credit: Kimberly Yuen
A man holds his plate of food while looking at the other options at the annual Nunnowa celebration at the Shinnecock Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2017.
Credit: Kimberly Yuen
Succotash, made with turkey, beans, and corn was among the items on the menu at the annual Nunnowa celebration at the Shinnecock Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2017.
Credit: Kimberly Yuen
Members of the Shinnecock tribe make their plates of food at the annual Nunnowa celebration at the Shinnecock Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2017.
Credit: Kimberly Yuen
Squash and zucchini were among the items on the menu at the annual Nunnowa celebration at the Shinnecock Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2017.
Credit: Kimberly Yuen
Shinnecock members catch up with each other at the Shinnecock Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2017.
Credit: Kimberly Yuen
Collard greens was among the items on the menu at the annual Nunnowa celebration at the Shinnecock Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2017.
Credit: Kimberly Yuen
Shinnecock members get plates of food at the annual Nunnowa celebration at the Shinnecock Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2017.
Macaroni and cheese was among the items on the menu at the annual Nunnowa celebration at the Shinnecock Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2017.
Credit: Kimberly Yuen
About a hundred members of the Shinnecock tribe gathered at the annual Nunnowa celebration at the Shinnecock Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2017.
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