Interesting comment, SirJohn.  A few years ago, the Stony Nakoda people decided that the way to financial independence was...a big casino.  That casino's there today, DESPITE the courageous protests of some of the band's own elder women, who that it was a bad idea; it sent the wrong message to the band's young people.  The BAND didn't recognize them, either.

How's the band doing as recently as 2015? Calgary Herald: "Salaries and expenses for the politicians running the Stoney First Nation surged 20 per cent last year to $3.3 million, as the band dipped into its rainy-day funds for the second straight year to cover a mounting deficit. ...Elected leaders and top officials billed $950,000 for travel and meetings, more than twice what they spent in the prior 12-month period."

Former provincial court judge John Reilly: “Most of the people on the Morley reserve are stuck in poverty, and the chief and council are still living high on the hog."

Familiar situation on some B.C. reserves.