"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness." -- Declaration of Independence 1776
No. This is how life should be, but unfortunately, this is not how the Indian reservations in Montana 1948 are like. Stupid, I know. In the book, Marie Little Soldier (Indian girl) worked at Wesley Hayden's house before she was put to death. "Put to death," was how she really died. An Indian girl murdered by a White man (Frank Hayden) only because she was the one with enough courage to break his dirty deeds to the world.
Of course no matter what kind of crime one commits, there is always a consequence. However, though Frank's father knew about his crimes, he did not bother persecuting Frank. To come and think of it, it is quite hilarious when the father is a retired sheriff, yet he just stood there to support Frank.
As for the victims on the Indian reservation, they did not speak up because they know that they cannot fight White men. Funny story is that all men are equal (or so they say), then why can't Indians ever be right about something? Why are Indians the ones that are always wrong? Why do people look down upon other people that are "equal" to themselves? Why? Why it is because truth is, people were never recognized as "equal" from the very beginning. If people on the reservations are treated as if they are less than dirt, then that quote from the Declaration of Independence is just a masquerade for people that are clueless.
