"The Indians knew that life was equated with the earth and its resources, that America was a paradise, and they could not comprehend why the intruders from the East were determined to destroy all that was Indian as well as America itself"

This quote by Dee Brown talks to the tragedy of the displacement of Native Americans by European inhabitants. The Native Americans had a deep spiritual connection to the land and its resources, and saw America as a paradise. They could not comprehend why the Europeans were so determined to remove their land and culture, and in doing so, destroy America itself. This quote speaks to the oppression of the displacement of Native Americans, and the destruction of their culture and way of life. It also speaks to the hypocrisy of the Europeans, who declared to be bringing civilization to the New World, while in reality they were damaging it. The quote acts as a suggestion of the catastrophe of the displacement of Native Americans, and the need to recognize and respect their culture and way of life.