Blog 1: Montana 1948, Part I

What are Wes Hayden's feelings toward Native Americans? How does this view compare to the perspective held by other family members? Include a quotation for support when providing your answer. [2 points]

Wes Hayden does not dislike the Indians, but his feelings toward them are not positive either. He considered them to be automatically lower than "white men" in status. As the narrator states, "He could treat the Indians with generosity, kindness, and respect (as he could treat every human being.) Nevertheless, he believed in Indians, with only a few exceptions, were ignorant, lazy, superstitious, and irresponsible." This differed from that of the other members of the Hayden family because the mother and narrator love the Native Americans. They treat them as they would treat humans, because that is what they are. When the narrator was given moccasins as a present from his aunt, Mr. Hayden forbade him to wear them. If it has just been his mother it would not have been an issue.