One striking feature of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books is her portrayal of American Indians. As was common for pioneers in their time, place, and situation, the Ingalls family had an uneasy relationship with the native tribes they encountered. From the perspectives various characters such as Pa, Ma, and the Scotts, we get a view of American Indians as a whole that isn't necessarily accurate or healthy. I'll be discussing this problem in further detail on Friday.
However, there is at least one American Indian character portrayed in a positive light.
Little House on the Prairie chapter 23 "Indian War-Cry" describes Soldat du C
hêne, who rallied the Osage tribe to prevent the rest of the tribes from "massacring" the white settlers.
You can read more about the historical basis for the Soldat du Ch
êne
character and the Osage Indians on Laura Ingalls Wilder, Frontier Girl.
Be sure to come back on Friday to hear the rest of this story. I've planned another post to round out my discussion about American Indians in the Little House books.
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