Land Taking Quote by Louise Erdrich
““When the first of us failed at growing or herding or plowing the fields, we were told that we could sign a piece of paper and get money for the land, without anyone taking it. Mortgage, this was called, a piece of banker’s cleverness that sounded good to many. I spoke against this trick, but who listened to Nanapush? People signed the paper, got money, came home night after night full of whiskey and food. Suddenly the foreclosure notices were handed out and the land was barred. It belonged to someone else.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Round House, 2012
Indigenous people were misled into signing mortgages, losing land to banks, highlighting exploitation.
In simple terms: Beware deceptive contracts that strip ownership.
Key Takeaway
Protect community land rights.
Themes
colonialism
exploitation
land rights
trust
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
historical
educational
When to use this quote
- community meetings
- legal aid
- education campaigns
Key Concepts
legal manipulation
economic coercion
cultural survival
Questions to Reflect On
- How can communities safeguard against predatory loans?
- What role does storytelling play in resistance?
A Different Perspective
Complex legal systems can trap victims.
