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” Why do “native Americans” (among whom I have ancestors) figure they are the exception?”

One of my ancestors (grandmother) was a full blooded squaw from Oklahoma.

I actually think this came about when the government went on a rampage to try to eliminate the native tribes, instead of allowing them to live peacefully, which had been agreed to.

Then it turned into an opportunity for the selected ‘leaders’ of the tribes to gain wealth and power, while their tribesmen were confined to filth and squalor.

Once big money was involved, politics took over.
Hence, Indian owned gambling casinos.

“how we gonna help the Indians?”
“Uh... let’s help them build gambling casinos with free liquor!”
“I thought we were going to give them blankets and tents.”

I have full-blooded Black Foot on both sides of my family, in fact, my mother's family had a picture of my great grandmother (who I never knew) in her Indian garb. I saw it as a teenager and still remembr it. It has since been lost due to deaths and subsequent home changes.

I actually think this came about when the government went on a rampage to try to eliminate the native tribes, instead of allowing them to live peacefully, which had been agreed to.

I have to disagree with you here. In fact, I believe the opposite. I believe it's the advantage of victimhood.

I live near the New York-New Jersey border. There is a group in the Ramapo Mountains who claim to be an Indian tribe who intermarried with Hessian Soldiers during the Revolution. The last "chief" of the "tribe" took a name so ridiculous that it could only have come from a 1950's B western. Of course, they wanted recognition so they could build a casino. They have not been recognized by the feds, and, in my opinion, correctly. In a former career I had extensive contact with many of them and I believe the whole thing was made up. The local paper, of course, bought into the the whole thing.