Dee Brown’s Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee is a landmark work of history that dramatically reshaped how Americans understand the westward expansion of the United States and its devastating impact on Native American peoples. Published in 1970, the book presents the story of the American West from the perspective of Native Americans, focusing on the period from the 1860s to the massacre at Wounded Knee in 189027.
1. Native American Perspective
Brown centers Native voices, using direct quotes from Native leaders and eyewitnesses to tell the story of westward expansion, forced relocations, and broken treaties56.
The book challenges the traditional narrative, which often depicted Native Americans as obstacles to progress, instead portraying them as victims of systematic betrayal and violence56.
2. Expansion and Manifest Destiny
The book critically examines the doctrine of Manifest Destiny, the belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across the continent, which justified the seizure of Native lands and the destruction of their cultures45.
Brown documents how the U.S. government, driven by settlers’ hunger for land and resources, repeatedly broke treaties and promises made to Native tribes57.
3. Genocide and Violence
Brown argues that the U.S. government’s policies amounted to genocide, systematically destroying Native communities through war, forced removals, and starvation47.
Key events such as the Trail of Tears, Sand Creek Massacre, Battle of Little Bighorn, and the Wounded Knee Massacre are recounted in detail, highlighting the scale of suffering and loss inflicted on Native peoples7.
4. Broken Promises and Legal Betrayals
The book shows how legal agreements and treaties were routinely ignored or manipulated by U.S. authorities, undermining Native sovereignty and rights45.
Native attempts to use the legal system or peaceful negotiation were almost always met with deception or force46.
5. Resistance and Resilience
Despite overwhelming odds, Native leaders like Red Cloud, Crazy Horse, and Sitting Bull led courageous—though ultimately unsuccessful—resistance efforts7.
The book honors the resilience, dignity, and humanity of Native Americans, emphasizing their deep connection to the land and their struggle to preserve their way of life7.
A Turning Point in Historical Narrative
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee was groundbreaking for giving a voice to Native American experiences, humanizing a group long stereotyped in American culture35.
It exposed the dark realities of American expansion and forced readers to confront the moral costs of the nation’s growth13.
Impact on American Conscience
The book’s publication during the Vietnam War drew parallels between historic and contemporary American military actions, prompting national self-reflection about justice, morality, and the treatment of marginalized peoples1.
It contributed to a broader movement to re-examine American history from the perspective of those who suffered under colonialism and imperialism36.
Enduring Relevance
Brown’s work remains a vital resource for understanding the roots of ongoing challenges faced by Native Americans and the legacy of historical injustices6.
It continues to be widely read in schools and cited in discussions about American history, indigenous rights, and reconciliation3.
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee is a powerful, meticulously researched account that exposes the systematic destruction of Native American societies during the westward expansion of the United States. By foregrounding Native voices and experiences, Dee Brown not only challenged prevailing myths but also called for a reckoning with the nation’s past. The book’s importance lies in its ability to foster empathy, understanding, and a more honest engagement with American history357.