The quote suggests that every conflict involving Native Americans, or Indians as they were historically referred to, that Buffalo Bill has witnessed originated from broken promises and treaties by the government. This implies a direct correlation between governmental actions and the subsequent outbreaks of violence or unrest among Indigenous populations.
When delving deeper into this statement, it becomes evident that Buffalo Bill is highlighting systemic issues within colonial governance practices towards Native American tribes. The repeated breaches of agreements likely led to a cycle of distrust and resentment, which in turn fueled conflicts. This perspective underscores the significant impact that unreliable government policies had on Indigenous communities, eroding their trust and leading them to feel compelled to resort to violence as a form of resistance or self-defense.
Buffalo Bill, whose full name was William Frederick Cody, lived from 1846 to 1917 and became famous for his Wild West shows that portrayed the American frontier. He participated in many military expeditions against Native Americans during his youth, but later in life he advocated for fair treatment of Indigenous peoples, as evidenced by this quote which critiques government policy toward Native American tribes.
