Trial of Thomas Builds the Fire

This story describes the trial and sentencing of Thomas Builds the Fire to life in prison for premeditated murder. Some obvious injustices against Native Americans are touched upon when the Bureau of Indian Affairs officer says "What charges should we bring him up on?" and the other responds "Well it has to be a felony charge. We don't need his kind around her anymore." Also, regardless of the charge, he was going to be guilty which he seems to already know because "All that was variable on any reservation was how the convicted get punished." Prejudices like this have resulted in prisons full of Native Americans. Thomas's "extreme need to tell the truth" is what turns him in when he blatantly confesses. He knows that any attempts to defend himself would be pointless, as he is going to be convicted no matter what. This encompasses the theme that Native Americans are a defeated group of people who have basically given up.