I’m not sure which came first. Was my interest in American History the reason for falling in love with the Little House books, or did the Little House books drive my need to learn more about American History? At any rate, my fascination with American History led me to have a profound respect and admiration for the Native American people.
Over the last few years, I have read more and more about how the Little House books should be banned or censored because of their depiction of Native American people. I cannot speak from the perspective of a Native American, but as someone who has read each of Laura’s stories so many times for so many years, I have a different opinion.
I honestly feel that my respect for Native Americans has come from their portrayal in the Little House books. I can see where the negative feelings come from, but in me, Laura spurred a desire to learn more. As a matter of fact, this is also the reason I chose to own and show Appaloosa Horses, a breed that was developed in America by the Nez Perce Indians.
I have always felt that Pa and Laura genuinely respected the Native Americans. I never once considered them “savages.” The feelings of Ma and some of the others really came about as a result of events that had occurred in their past. I remember feeling great sympathy for the Native Americans because I knew that they were fighting a losing battle for their land. Laura is simply writing from her own point of view as a person who experienced it in the way that she did. You are reading her feelings.
There are many tragic events that have shaped our history. We cannot change the past, but we can learn from it. Banning one, or all, of the Little House books because they told the story of one family’s experiences also will not change history. It would, however, close a door that was opened for me many years ago.