I believe that the land containing the Red Lake 'reservation' was deeded to the tribe, not to the United States, by the French, around the time the USA acquired the rest of the terretories thereabouts. This would make it a foreign nation inside the US borders.
When I was there (working for MnDOT), the Highway Department maintained SR 89 through the reservation, and I believe the tribe got subsidies of various kinds from the US, but my impression was that it was a rough place, and not a good place to traverse after dark. Every sign along the highway seemed to have been 'stress relieved' by shotgun and small arms fire, and the fire lookout towers had thoroughly perforated steel floors.
Doesn't really matter, since the french stopped controlling that area centuries ago. The fact is, they have a reservation - a uniquely american thing - and they also deal with the BIA etc... so, they are just like any otehr tribe, except they are more corrupt, with kangaroo courts, etc...
When I was there (working for MnDOT), the Highway Department maintained SR 89 through the reservation, and I believe the tribe got subsidies of various kinds from the US, but my impression was that it was a rough place, and not a good place to traverse after dark.
Sounds like pretty much every major city in this country - the residents get subsidies, and you don't want to be caught there after dark...
Every sign along the highway seemed to have been 'stress relieved' by shotgun and small arms fire, and the fire lookout towers had thoroughly perforated steel floors.
Sounds like where I grew up in New Engalnd ;0)