[fish hawk]

The base problem lies with the way things were done in those days. The Government crated reservations to contain the Indians, thereby removing the problem of having them roaming around. To get them to come in peaceably, they promised them a lot of the things you mention above. These promises were given to them in writing in “treaties”. My tribe was denied hunting and fishing rights on our own reservation for years until we took the government to court with our written treaties signed by the leaders of the country. So now, I can hunt and fish without any regard of the Calif. Dept. of Fish and Game. That does not mean I can do anything I want as the tribe has our own police/ wardens to make sure we go by the rules the tribe has set up.

[Hodar]

But, you can hunt/fish (in accordance with your Tribal Council) whereas I cannot. Not because you have done anything, but due to your parentage. I can never have the benefits you enjoy, no matter what I do, what I accomplish, nor invest - simply because my skin is white.

Now, I do agree that *if* the reservation is considered tribal land, and you are a member of that tribe (citizen of your nation) - you may do things I cannot, because I am not a citizen of your nation. For example, as a resident of Utah, I may be able to get an Elk license whereas a non-state resident cannot. That is fair, and I think we can both agree on that. However, should you opt to move to Utah, you can enjoy the same privileges I have; whereas the reverse is not true.

Where I draw the line is taxpayer finance. If you do not pay taxes on that land (being your tribe's nation and not US soil); I think I shouldn't have to have my money taken out of my earnings, and given to support that land (roads, school, utilities, police, fire, medical, etc).

On your lands, you can hunt, fish, mine, generate electrical power through whatever means (including coal, nuke, hydro) and be self-sustaining. In doing so, you will motivate others to learn, work and invest - but do so on YOUR dime, not mine. As-is; the American Indian culture is not one that promotes education, hard physical labor, and earning to provide for your family. On reservations in South Dakota (where I was raised) and Washington state (where my children live), we see the worst that reservation life has to offer. This is not something your ancestors knew; this is what has been allowed to happen to your tribe, due to dependence upon the US Gov't. Drug use, violent crime, alcoholism, single-parent families, crime, illiteracy, dropping out of school - it's bad and getting worse. And, IMHO, it all stems from a common source - reliance/dependence upon someone else.