Context
"Since the beginning of white occupation of the North American continent the Indian has been trampled upon and exploited. Treaties have been made and violated; tribes deprived of their land, their living, their customs and religion" (Stevens).
Throughout the years, federal policy towards American Indians underwent many changes. The U.S. government initially traded peacefully with American Indians, but then dealt with the alleged "Indian Problem" (conflict resulting from American expansion and Indian habitation) by using warfare and legislation to force the removal of tribes, set up reservations, and assimilate the American Indians into mainstream American culture.