I see what you're saying but don't totally agree
Thanks for your opinion Bear. When you turn "their" land into parishes or towns and neighborhoods, they lose their heritage. I assume non-tribesmen are not allowed to live on reservations currently, but they would be allowed to do so in your scenario.
It seems similar to an invading army that destroys the history of their victim in an effort to essentially destroy their heritage. They wipe out museums, sacred art and places and the unique people become blended in to society. We made the natives cut their hair, change their clothing, speak English and learn Christianity. All the while, the new country was being formed, in part, for religious freedom and tyranny. I don't see how going the additional steps you state helps anyone. Your thoughts about their casinos is easier to understand.
While there's a lot to dislike about the reservations, at least monuments, some culture and sacred areas are maintained. Unfortunately, there's a lot of poverty and lack of education.
Why not keep the reservations, which is a tiny part of what the tribes collectively controlled pre-white/Spanish/French? However, implement US and state laws, including some form of taxation.
I think it's at least interesting to have the native culture residing within our country. It seems the least we can do.
The Comanches controlled/"owned" Texas at a minimum plus border lands. If not for them, the Conquistadors would have pushed much further than they did. The Comanches "stopped them at the border".
I'm not sure how much, if any, wealth they gained from the oil extracted from their lands. I've never had a problem with tribes getting casinos including tax breaks, but I've always had a problem with states too dumb to allow competition. North Carolina is a perfect example.
NC protects the monopoly despite it being farther away for much of their population than NJ, DE, MD, WV, DC, FL and PA (and it's a quicker flight to Las Vegas in some cases). The state collects taxes/fees (open bribes) while staving off competition.
I can see your point about the laws but not turning reservations into parishes. Of course, my information is limited and knowledge weak on the topic overall. But, it sounds like you think our country's native heritage should just be quiet and meld in with the rest of us.
If I'm missing something, please enlighten me. I find it an interesting conversation, but I can see that it could be too political for this page. Thanks.