Fools Crow Sparknotes

612 Words3 Pages

In the Fools Crow novel, I have learned, again, that the Pikuni, even all Native American tribes, were in fear for their traditions, land, and lives, because of the white people’s greed for land and power. Throughout the years, the majority of American schools have taught their classes about Native Americans. Most students understand that the immigrants from Europe were greedy for land and resources, providing constant treaties to relocate Native American reservations. If one tribe decided against the colonists’ wishes, they were brutally removed or depleted, typically in massacres. In Fools Crow, the author James Welch gives a better understanding of how the Native Americans, specifically the Pikuni, felt. The novel Fools Crow does not take …show more content…

The chief of the Pikuni, Mountain Chief, gave a speech to the attendees. Part of his speech mentioned the Napikwans. He said, “I myself have never liked the Napikwans, and I say to you now I would do anything to rid this land of their presence. But many of our chiefs have spoken against me and I respect their arguments. They say that Napikwan is a way of life now. Some even suggest that we go to his schools and his churches. They say if we learn his language, we can beat him with his own words” (122). The chiefs that oppose Mountain Chief's argument show that they are impacted by the whites, and should change their traditional ways to assimilate with the Napikwan. By assimilating, they could protect their traditions and land from the Napikwan’s …show more content…

The goal of the seizers was to kill the rogue Owl Child, though they attacked a tribe that did not hold Owl Child, and were friends with the Napikwan. Welch’s description of the massacre was detailed and foul, with burnt bodies of animals, infants, and people. The survivors of the massacre told of their points of view in the attack, all of them losing loved ones to the flames. Fools Crow, the main character of the book, says in his thoughts, “the Pikunis were no match for the seizers and their weapons” (383). The massacre shows the Napikwan’s power over the Pikuni. If any Pikuni questioned the Napikwan’s strength any time before, they would be certain of the Napikwan’s strength