The first Thanksgiving

As an El Paso native, few events stir up more local pride than remembering our first Thanksgiving—a gathering etched deep in the heritage of San Elizario, Texas, long before the famed Pilgrim meal up north. In 1598, over two decades before the Mayflower even set sail, Juan de Oñate and his expedition traversed scorching deserts to finally reach the banks of the Rio Grande near present-day San Elizario. It was here, after an unforgiving journey, that Oñate and his crew, weary but relieved, paused to hold a thanksgiving feast.

Joined by the local indigenous tribes, Oñate and his party shared not only a meal but also a moment of mutual respect, symbolizing a hopeful beginning of cultural exchange. This was no mere survival ritual but a confluence of diverse worlds, each recognizing the resilience and spirit of the other.

Our Thanksgiving wasn’t about turkeys or pumpkin pie; it was about endurance, thankfulness, and connection—qualities that still define our borderland. In El Paso, we don’t just celebrate a holiday; we honor the depth and complexity of our heritage, one that flows from the banks of the Rio Grande and continues to shape the heart and soul of our community.