Indeed.
Beyond the eighty or so posts so far, it's got implications for all sorts of mischief, by all sorts of people and groups.
For openers - how do you address a civil war inside a 'sovereign' indian tribe (just in case someone actually presses for secession and others don't agree).
Do the several casino wealthy tribes have anything to say in a stand off between the USA and another break away tribe? (Note: the one indian I've known from South Dakota was collecting large bucks off of casino profits so the destitute Sioux image is flawed)
If they try to go ahead with this we will have to deal with a kosovo that our government wants to separate from Serbia and one or more indian reservations that I'm sure the feds don't want to let go.
("Kosov - Si, Sioux City - No" ?)
The statement talks of several states, not a delineated reservation - reconquesta rather than Independence.
It would be interesting to watch how the self defined indian territories (a) dealt with the 'squatters' who deny citizenship in an indian tribe and how (b) they'd go about reclaiming property.
If they act as though they have withdrawn from the treaties they have released the US government of responsibility for the safety of members of the tribe - what's to stop non-indians from going on a warpath?
The UN has an opportunity to either act responsibly or climb all over our internal affairs - my bets are on the latter. (picturing a blue topped gaggle of third world peacekeepers trying to hitchhike from New York to ... what's the name of the town in North Dakota?)
How do we address North Korean and mexican efforts to establish embassies in Taos, Sioux City, or Yosemite Village?
To where do you deport a "Native American"?
Given Mean's record, I don't think it is too far-fetched to assume his break away group will include a terrorist friendly policy - the Little Mosque on the Prairie might not be just a gag line anymore.
Finally, also with an eye to history, even if he movement stays at the hot air level - how long before some nut case tries to enforce his tribal claims by force?
Knowing full well that this will end up either a non-event or a televised stand off between the FBI and a dozen loonies, on some run down farm, in the middle of nowhere; every day we come closer to the real possibility of the UN or our neighbors deciding they have the right to step in and decide questions like this for us.
Worse - probably half the population of the USA would go along with it.