jjares reviewed Native American Tribes: The History and Culture of the Arapaho on + 3293 more book reviews
I really like the presentation of this book. By reading these Charles Rivers books, I have been getting a better idea of the ebb-and-flow of tribal customs and confederations. I thought the tribal customs were static; these books show that groups formed and split over the generations, according to their needs and customs. I've decided to read these Charles Rivers's books about the different tribal traditions to understand American history better. Frankly, it is not a pretty picture. The US government never seemed to understand that they were negotiating with several hundred different tribal traditions, over 300 different languages, and over 1000 dialects.
The Arapaho were the victims of the Sand Creek Massacre in 1864, an action that was so heinous that the leader of the attack, Colonel John Chivington, was relieved of command after it. With all the atrocities committed against Indians, I was surprised this one wasn't swept under the rug. Perhaps it is because 675 men killed and mutilated about 500 Indians, two-thirds of whom were women and children. How the babies were killed was truly appalling. One can hope that once such barbarism was leaked to the press, that the American people were horrified.
The Arapaho were the victims of the Sand Creek Massacre in 1864, an action that was so heinous that the leader of the attack, Colonel John Chivington, was relieved of command after it. With all the atrocities committed against Indians, I was surprised this one wasn't swept under the rug. Perhaps it is because 675 men killed and mutilated about 500 Indians, two-thirds of whom were women and children. How the babies were killed was truly appalling. One can hope that once such barbarism was leaked to the press, that the American people were horrified.
