Native Americans' Future

American Indians have the highest unemployment, poverty and disease rates of any ethnic group in the country. Yet Indian leaders say Americans are indifferent to their plight, as reflected in recent funding cuts for Indian programs. Congressional budget-cutters argue that Indians should share the burden of balancing the federal budget, but Indian advocates say aid programs for Indians are cited - and protected - in scores of treaties between tribes and the federal government. Many tribes see the key to their survival in economic development fueled by revenues from gambling. But Indian advocates say that mounting efforts to curtail their casino operations and other moves toward self-determination are only the latest in a long history of violations of Indian sovereignty guaranteed in the Constitution.