chapter 17

Reading about the Indians reminds me of fourth grade.  We learned about Indians in the fourth grade and everyone got to pick a tribe about write a report about it.  I was very into it and loved hearing about everyone’s different tribes.  It surprises me that there were not a greater number of Indians who causes uprising like Sitting Bull.  I watched a movie on Custer’s last stand at the Little Big Horn and though it didn’t get the Indians any positive outcomes besides winning the battle they still tried to fight for their land and their culture.  I cannot say they were wrong to try to stand up for themselves.  It saddens me that these people were once so free and all because white people think they have more right to the land the Indians had to be pinned down to small tribal lands.  I think the railroad brought about a great deal of good.  It opened jobs for immigrants, allowed people to settle west more easily and helped transport cattle.  I like reading about the cattle drives, I live on a ranch and my family raises cattle.  We also ship our calves off to stockyards like they drove their cattle to in Abilene. I also had no idea the Yellowstone National Park was founded so long ago (1872).