It seems that the U.S. government's posture toward native Americans is still as it was in 1831:
"Chief Justice John Marshall set Native Americans on the path to poverty in 1831 when he characterized the relationship between Indians and the government as “resembling that of a ward to his guardian.” With these words, Marshall established the federal trust doctrine, which assigns the government as the trustee of Indian affairs."
Tribal reservation stories are tales of impoverished futility. But here's a different story. An 8,000-member Choctaw tribe in Mississippi (with 75% unemployment) developed over 25 years from a "stagnant welfare culture" into one of the biggest employers in Mississippi, through the energy and optimism of a young chief.
Eventually the tribe ran a printing company, construction company and more, generating annual revenue of $300 million. "The result has been widespread prosperity . . The number of Choctaws on welfare has fallen dramatically; education, health, and housing have sharply improved."
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