Webblog

I read the book Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. This book went chapter by chapter discussing tribe after tribe of Native Americans on the plains. It outlines the relations of tribes to the U.S. Federal government during the years 1860-1890. They begin with talking about the Navajos, Apaches, and the other tribes of the American Southwest who were displaced as California and the surrounding states were settled. This book chronicles the changing and sometimes conflicting attitudes both of American authorities and Indian Chiefs. Specifically mentioned are Geronimo, Red Cloud, Sitting Bull, and Crazy Horse and their different attempts to save their peoples, either by peace, war, or retreat. The last part of the book focuses more on the Sioux and Cheyenne tribes. These were some of the last to be moved onto reservations, under perhaps the most violent circumstances. It comes to a head at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, the deaths of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse as well as the senseless slaughter of Sioux prisoners at Wounded Knee, South Dakota. This is generally considered the end of the Indian wars. This book was very historically informing and at certain points seemed a little long winded and detailed to process properly. I did enjoy learning more historical facts about the Indian wars. It was really sad the things that were done to the Native Americans. We stripped them of their land, their way of life, and their right to freedom. This book really gets the hopelessness of the situation out there. Anyone that is studying the Plains should read this book. We need to know both the good and bad history of our country. I was surprised by some of the details included in the book. I think with more details, especially key details, people are more inclined to personalize the history they are reading as well as internalize it more. The bigger effect history has on us now, the more control we have of our future.