Killing Custer Reflection

In James Welch's book, "Killing Custer," I liked how straight forward the story was written, and it gave, I believe, a new perspective on the battles between White men and the Plains Indians. Opposed to the history texts and scholarly essays in which we often read, Welch's story seems to be more of an objective view on what occurred during the late 1800's in America. Indians are typically portrayed as savage, violent, and always on the attack--almost no attention is given to the culture of the Indian tribes, and how they perceived the White man coming into their land in order to control it.  Our early American ancestors and their numerous and various battles with the Plains Indians are an integral part of our National development, history, and culture that is often taught in a skewed perspective where we are not learning the whole story of our true history. In addition, the way in which history introduces past American "Heros" is intriguing due to the reality of how these men (gender bias existing) came to be known as National "heros." Many of these men in the late 1800's into the 1900's, were not close to a "hero" status, but rather used as a way to boost National morale during difficult times. It is unfortunate how we grow up to possibly admire these "heros" and see our Nation falsely. Wouldn't it be more beneficial to learn the true events that transpired and created the base for our Nation, in order to discuss the reasons why these events occurred?  Would we, as a population of Americans, be more open-minded and accepting of individuals and groups "different" from us if we were to learn about the reality of events that occurred in our past?