Do you think Golden Buffalo was wise to try to learn the ways of his enemies? Foolish? Is there any way he could have done better to help his people?

Golden Buffalo tries to help his tribe by learning the ways of the white culture that is overtaking his people's world. On page 141, he has the following realization: "He saw his people's futility in fighting such numbers, such rapaciousness. It was as useless as killing off coyotes. More would always come." Do you think he was wise to try to learn the ways of his enemies? Foolish? Is there any way he could have done better to help his people?

It's always wise to know your enemy but I don't believe there was any more he could have done to help his people. "More would always come."

I believe it was his wisest choice. It allowed him the possibility of providing assistance to his people in the midst of their worst threat ever to their survival. I think Golden Buffalo found the concept of possibly helping his people some consolation to his position.

Yes, it is always wise to know your enemies.

Agree it was wise of him to learn the ways of his enemy & I don't think there was any way he could've done better to help his people. He was only one man & it's pretty rare for one man to make a difference against an entity as powerful as the US Govt. Also, by the time he became a scout for Custer, I think it was too late to stop what had already begun.

There is that old saying about keeping your friends close and your enemies closer. But in the big picture it was essentially useless. Westward expansion was a juggernaut and there was no stopping it.

I agree with everyone's opinions. I think he was very wise because it is always better to try and "understand" your enemy, both for your own survival and for those you are tryin to help.

I think leaving one own's tribe to work as a scout for the US would have been pretty hard to rationalize no matter who was considering doing so. I find the fact that Golden Buffalo was able to do so after the Sand Creek Massacre pretty incredible. He seemed to have a lot of faith in his dreams- -he trusted them, in spite of seeing what could possibly happen to him at the hands of other Indians who found his decision treasonous. He also seemed to set aside any negative feelings he may have had about US troops. I would have had a hard time hiding my anger and disgust. In fact, he first questioned his effectiveness only after witnessing the senseless killing of buffalo. He was ashamed for being a part of the men who could do this.

I do think he was wise. He learned the way the Calvary fought and he learned to speak English. Unfortunately, his people had always relied on the powers of the medicine man and believed him over what Golden Buffalo himself had witnessed. Golden Buffalo was ineffective in persuading his people differently. But to understand is a part of the Indian's ways and important to Golden Buffalo.

By joining Custer, he was also able to avoid more ugliness that came later by choosing to lead him in a battle Golden Buffalo knew he was going to lose.

While I consider Golden Buffalo wise, it is always difficult to play two sides against the middle. I think the person who said that he was a example of 'keeping your friends close and your enemies closer' is correct but he was a Quisling for leaving his people and providing information to Custer.

Golden Bufffalo showed foresight in trying to learn the white man's ways and seemed to understand that his race's way of life was essentially doomed. As far as whether there was any other way he could have done better to help his people, there didn't seem to be any way to help them to continue their way of life. The government's and most Americans' attitude was they either assimilate or die.