Mr. Dennis G. Bonner Lonabaugh and Bonner Suite 110, Lonabaugh Building Sheridan, Wyoming 82801
Dear Mr. Bonner:

It gave me great pleasure to hear from you and to know that you still remember the days when we were together in class. Many thanks for your kindly appreciation of those memories.

The Indian problem is far more difficult that most people realize. I was director of the Division of Information in the Bureau of Indian Affairs when John Collier was commissioner. He really cared about Indians, especially their ancient culture. I think they are making a mistake in emphasizing the Pan Indian attitude instead of the Pan Human. I left the Indian Bureau with a strong feeling that the problem if it is ever solved will be solved by absorption of the Indian peoples in the white world. I was sent out on a number of field trips to learn what the Indians were thinking, and it seemed to me that most of them really wanted to be considered people with the rest of us people, although they never said just that. We all know that the old culture and the old way of life are gone.

It's good to know that you have been doing things out in the rugged world, and I am glad if you were able to do something for the Crow Indians.

Incidentally, do you know that Curly, one of Custer's three Crow scouts who brought the news of the massacre to the white world, was my Brother Friend? He has been dead 40 years. My ring is on his hand.

With all kind thoughts, your old friend

John G. Neihardt
JGN:nh