What can replace dignity and heritage?

My question to Mauryne Simeons (“U.S. has given enough to American Indians,” Feb. 18): “What do you consider is enough?” The white man swept across the United States, killing women and children, giving disease to entire tribes, stealing every last acre of land and putting these proud people on mostly worthless land called reservations. All of this in the name of greed.

Wasn't it nice of us white people to “give” American Indians back land we had stolen?

I would agree that there are many people throughout history who have had terrible atrocities placed upon them. But, if you own land, which tribe was it stolen from so you could purchase it?

There never has been a race of people who has complained less even though the greatest nation in the world was stolen, by force, from them.

The American Indians are proud, wonderful people, just as every race is. They were stripped of their land, their heritage and their dignity. I know, I lived with them and I taught their children for years.

Gale Schlesinger

Cedar Rapids