2. Broken Treaties
Hundreds of treaties between Native American tribes and the U.S. government were signed and then broken, eroding trust. For example, the Treaty of Fort Laramie (1851) promised land to the Arapaho and Cheyenne, but was violated as settlers encroached during the gold rush. Similarly, the Treaty of Big Tree (1797) saw the Seneca Nation cede vast lands in New York, leading to displacement. These broken promises over land, resources, and rights linger in collective memory, reinforcing skepticism of government initiatives. (history.com)
