In The Indian Affair Deloria traces the history of broken treaties with the Indians, describing how they were swindled out of their rights and pulling no punches in naming indiviuals, agencies, and corporations that have participated. Christian communities aren't exempted from critique either.

Deloria highlights the hard feelings that remain due to Christian complicity with Indian mistreatment and urges churches to do the "thousand little things" needed to heal the wounds left by the "Trail of Broken Promises".