Maize Day

Maize Day, observed on the day after Thanksgiving, celebrates maize (corn) and its central role in the cultures, cuisines, and everyday lives of the First Nations of the Americas. The observance also offers a way to consider Thanksgiving from an Indigenous perspective and to recognize Native American cultures as living cultures, not merely part of the past. The Waterbury Observer describes it as a small campaign to popularize the fourth Friday of November in the United States.

Artist Corinne Lightweaver started Maize Day in 2004 as a research project with her family. According to accounts of her explanation, she wanted to commemorate Thanksgiving through the viewpoint of Indigenous people and focus attention on the accomplishments and victories of Native Americans. People’s World reports that the day is open to anyone, regardless of heritage, who wishes to recognize maize’s shared role in food and culture.

Maize has a long history in the Americas. Archaeological evidence places its early development by Indigenous people in Mesoamerica, where it was transformed from the wild grass teosinte into a productive crop. It became a foundation of many Indigenous foodways, and maize also holds important places in Native creation stories, ceremonies, and traditions. The Waterbury Observer provides background on maize’s development and cultural significance.

How to Observe Maize Day

Celebrate by preparing and enjoying a dish that features maize—such as corn on the cob, popcorn, or another corn-based food—and take a moment to appreciate the knowledge and agricultural achievements behind it. People’s World notes that maize appears in many forms, including corn flour, cornstarch, and corn syrup.

You can also learn about the history of maize and the living cultures of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Share what you learn with family or friends, and consider making your Thanksgiving weekend reflection include the Indigenous perspective that inspired the holiday. The Waterbury Observer explains that Lightweaver created Maize Day to encourage this kind of learning and recognition.

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