"On May 22, letter writer Burnell J. Petry stated what he had to say, but with no concern to the racial remarks made toward the American Indians.

I am from the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone in Elko, Nev. I did not appreciate the remarks made more than once about "Indian giver," and further I cannot believe that your paper prints such racial slurs.

It seems you have no idea about this word, so, I am going to send you a definition of it: Indian giver (or Indian gift) is a North American English expression used to describe a person who gives something and later wants it back, or something equivalent in return.

The phrase is considered a racial stereotype and is often offensive, as it implies that Native Americans commonly practiced this behavior."

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Larry Eaglebear: Insulted by letter [see fourth item] (The Belleville News-Democrat 6/17)