they settled this place the same as we did. Depending on that you believe, homosapiens originated from either India or Africa. They may have found it first but nobody honestly believes anybody started life in this hemisphere. they are not native. We have more than made it up to them. They are poor because they choose to be. The tribe will pay for college if they choose to go. If many choose the easy life and collect a weekly/monthly check just for being them when it is only enough to survive is no fault but their own.
There are quite a few left. There are many people that have enough indian blood in them to get benefits. The problem is may records have been destroyed in floods, fires, tornados, or just lost. Before the digital age it paperwork disappeared you were SOL. Others had family that had integrity and pride so they didn't sign up for the Indian cards.