Washington D.C. 1917 to 1938: The Peyote Controversy; Oklahoma's Poor Rich Indians; Tricksters Summary and Analysis

In The Peyote Controversy, on February 1, 1918, Zitkala-Sa testified before a senate sub-committee. Raymond volunteered for World War I and was stationed in a southern base. He and other Indians felt patriotic, even though they were not considered citizens. Richard Henry Pratt testified on Zitkala-Sa's behalf; he was a good ally, though they did not agree on everything. Peyote was a small cactus. Indians ate it for religious ceremonies for medicinal and visionary powers. It helped with tuberculosis when the Indians did not have medicine. Zitkala-Sa passionately protested the use of peyote. She was not a peyote expert, but she claimed it was addictive and swindlers used it to swindle money from the Utes. She wanted peyote outlawed. Mr. James...