Caption on back of photograph reads: November 19, 1953, just one week before the traditional Thanksgiving Day, the Indians of the Shinnecock Reservation celebrated their first "Indian Thanksgiving" in many years. Over 100 members of the tribe attended. In conjunction with the Thanksgiving celebration, Mrs. Lulu Hunter, the daughter of Wickham Cuffee, celebrated her 84th birthday. Seated at the long table, on the left side, are Mrs. Lulu Hunter, Mrs. Edna Eleazar (Shinnecock-Montauk), Mrs. Smith (married into the tribe), Miss Stella Arch, Mrs. Mrs. Herbert Eleazar, Mrs. Eliza Beaman (Montauk), and Mr. Anthony Beaman. Standing are, Charles K. Smith and Harry Williams. Seated on right are, Mrs. Camille Smith, Mr. Fred Smith and Mrs. Charles Bunn (married into tribe). At the table in the background are Julia Smith, Mrs. Henry Thompson (back to camera), Mr. Lincoln Smith and Mrs. Lincoln Smith. The revival of the Indian thanksgiving was made possible by the joint efforts of the entire Indian community, both on the reservation, and in the village. During the evening several old timers remarked that the reason for the Indian Thanksgiving, as held by the Shinnecocks, was because in the old days the Indian women were always in such demand by the local women of Southampton for Thanksgiving Day cooking. So in order for the Indians to properly enjoy their own Thanksgiving dinner, they had it a week earlier. This was traditional for many years, but lately the custom had fallen into neglect, and the young people had never known of Indian Thanksgiving. The women of the reservation prepared the meal under the direction of Mrs. Isadore Smith, and from an observers viewpoint, it appeared as though there were nearly as many people working in the kitchen and serving food, as there were sitting at the table. After the meal, several old timers spoke of their early experiences on the reservation and expressed their thanks for the opportunity to observe the old holiday. Several of the younger members of the tribe expressed the desire to keep the custom alive by observing the Indian Thanksgiving in the years to come.