Why? I thought they were all "sovereign" nations.......
A decade ago I was working as a consultant for one of the larger southwestern tribes. Sitting in a Tribal Council meeting I heard the Chairman vehemently proclaim that the Tribe was absolutely sovereign and didn’t have to do anything demanded of them by the Feds. Within the hour the same person was essentially demanding that the BIA fully fund the Tribes extensive wish list because of the feds “Trust Responsibilities”. Every Council member agreed with both statements,