2. Establishment of the Reservation System
In the 19th century, the U.S. government formalized the reservation system through a series of treaties, many of which were quickly broken. Native nations were forced onto small, unfamiliar parcels, losing access to traditional lands for hunting, gathering, and cultural practices. These broken promises fueled mistrust and hardship, yet tribes persevered, adapting their lives to new realities imposed by outside forces.
