American Indian Culture and Research Journal

The American nation found itself wrapped up in a major contradiction in 1876. Celebrating its own one-hundredth year of independence from Britain, the country was ruthlessly extinguishing the independence of the Native American people. Despite the Sioux victory over General Custer that summer, 1876 proved to be no year of celebration for the Indian. The end of his freedom was at hand. Yet, ironically, while wars still continued on the plains, the United States government decided to include the American Indian in its exposition. The role the Indian played in the Centennial is illustrative of the contemporary public image of Indian America and of the utter incapacity of the nation to see more than curiosity value in native culture. It also may serve to suggest that history should not be repeated one hundred years later.