#1. Interpret/explain/explore the context and significance of the quote "We were supposed to kill the Indian to save the child". (Kitahna)

             The significance of the quote "We  were supposed to kill the Indian to save the child."(Alexie 35) is not necessarily to kill "Indians", but to kill/strip them of their culture.People around Mr.P's time didn't like the Indians or anything about their culture. They wanted to destroy their heritage. In the quote "...no, it's just a saying....We were supposed to make you give up being Indian."(Alexie 35) Mr.P explains that he was basically obligated to try and demolish the backgrounds of Indian children and turn the child  "behind the Indian" into a "normal" one. Teachers beat the culture out of children and believed that it was for a good reason. In the long run, was it really worth abolishing their culture that was inherited from past generations?  In this quote said by Mr.P it states, "But I can apologize to you."(Alexie 35). This quote shows Mr.P's remorse for his wrong-doings towards Indians and their culture and also his wanting to use Arnold as a representation for all Indians. He has been searching for a student like Arnold who he knows won't give up on himself. Mr.P wants the best for Arnold and doesn't want to see him fail. He has seen too many people go from inspirational dreamers to alcoholics. Mr.P knows that if Arnold stays in the Spokane reservation  any longer he will end up like every other person who has started out trying and ended up failing because of their surroundings.