What many fail to comprehend is that the North American tribes had been decimated by European disease before many whites had even arrived. Entire villages perished, and in many cases it happened so fast they did not even have time to take care of their dead.
This was an important factor in the adoption of Christianity by the surviving Indians. They attributed the wealth and prosperity of the white man to the 'medicine' of the white man's religion, and in desperation, many adopted it.
It was desperation that later led them to reject it, and turn to the Ghost Dancers, whose ceremonies sought to revive the 'lost' Spirits, and prosperity of the past. They had come to the conclusion that Christianity was not as strong a force for them as it was for the newcomers.
I tend to forgivness when it comes to the crimes the Natives and Whites inflicted on each other. In a larger sense, they had enemies in common -- such as diptheria and smallpox. My Mom and her brother were the only two kids out of seven who lived past the age of 14, in a homesteader's house outside of Cheyenne.
I cannot choose who I am but I choose to be proud. I am a proud American and proud to be born of Dine'. I am proud of the Dine' warriors that serve(d) our counrty.
Disease was the number one killer in earlier America just as it has killed man for centuries before in different lands.
This was an important factor in the adoption of Christianity by the surviving Indians.
My grandmother was Roman Catholic as were (are) her children. She was relocated to the Indian Schools in Carlise, PA, her brothers, sisters, and father never made it that far.
I tend to forgivness when it comes to the crimes.
As do I, to punish today for sins of the past is wrong.