I didn't say they were doing well on every reservation, since some of the western reservations are having a hard time. However, many have capitalized on their special status to run casinoes, make & sell cigarettes, market untaxed gasoline and liquor.
When I travel to the local reservations, the employees in the Gas stations, tobacco stores etc. are mostly not Indians. The casinos money distribution and govt bennies, many apparently choose not to work..
I suspect that if I were living on one of the failing reservations, I would go ahead and move out..finding my future elsewhere, or take advantage of the breaks other reservations have utilized.
Many who are entitled to res living, don't do so, since they have found their niche off the res.
Here's one view of the Seneca casino about 25 miles from my house, it would be hard to get the whole casino in one photo, much more out of view.
https://www.newyorkupstate.com/casinos/2020/06/seneca-nation-to-reopen-western-new-york-casinos-starting-this-month.html ..Another at Niagara Falls..
https://travel.usnews.com/Hotels/review-Seneca_Niagara_Resort_Casino-Niagara_Falls-New_York-39622/ There is another casino in Buffalo..nobody but Indians can operate a casino in NY !
With a population of 8,000 they aren't doing to bad..good for them !
Couldn't find a picture of the Seneca's cigarette factory, but it covers an estimated 6-8 acres.
I supose there is a big difference between eastern & western reservations, but when I see programs proclaiming of the problems on reservations, I ask myself.."then why don't they just leave, and find life & work away from the res"? I know many who have, and life on the eastern reservations is not tough.... unless you make it so !
Back to the subject! Today's indians are far better off than how the Romans treated the Gauls, for instance..or come to think of it, how the Senecas treated the Erie tribe, whom they vanquished.