[Berger_4_]

To back up Azure here...I don't think the treaties are valid anymore. Come on, it was 200 years ago. To say that these treaties are helping either party is flat out wrong. It costs the people their pride, their willingness to work, all that stuff. And it costs the government by having to deal with stuff similar to what occured in the OP. I think both parties need to take a step back and really look at what could be done to help both sides. Obviously the Natives won't want to give up their current situation (really, who would? Free money, hunting, fishing, etc.) but something does need to be done. The treaties are antiquated and no longer relevant to today. It's time that something is done to fix it. And Azure is exactly right about how those that build a successful life get away from the 'entitlement'. They find their work ethic, find something they enjoy and can do well, and leave. The problem is that there seems to be very few of them willing to find that ethic and get out of the awful cycle that is reserve life. It's just too easy to stay there, get your monthly cheque, and call it good. If we want to fix the problem, we've got to look at changing those treaties, and probably their special status too.