You are 100% correct. I’m surprised that the Elders recognize this, actually. It is in their best interests (fiscally) to perpetuate this situation.
If I were King, I’d simply set a timeline for them to assimulate, no longer do they get Federal Assistance, special treatment or allotments- - they would be treated like everyone else. Now, doing everything on a particular date would be unfair; cultures do not change over-night. But, I would lay the pavement for a 10 year assimilation plan. Tribal assets to be equally divided to tribal members, dissolve tribal councils and set up local coucils (just like our HOA, city goverments, ect). No longer can a murderer, rapist or thief run to tribal land and hide from the law. They get to follow the same sets of laws that every other member of the US follows. No more, no less.
As long as there is ‘no reason’ to change, there will be no change. Remove the reasons, remove the excuses, and they too can join society, contribute and build. This will benefit not only America as a whole, it will benefit their people and their culture.
But, this won’t happen in my lifetime.
Or in other words, "be just like us."
As I've said before, they have no interest in being just like us, and are content to remain where they are, and to continue with the "old ways." Our way of thinking that can not be imposed on them. Any change will have to come from within the tribes.