Even when we gave them tools to work the land, they hired the white guys to do the work.
Hunter-gatherers for the most part.
My Grandfather—an old Wyoming rancher— had little use for Indians. he said all the good Indians were dead—they fought for their land and died in battle—only the cowards and culls went on the reservations to produce the ones we see today. Still, that was along time ago. The dependency on the reservation did a lot to kill their spirit—no wonder they turned to drink. This doesn’t count all Native People—I know many tribes who have done well—The Papagos, the Choctaw, Seneca, but they did it without the Government.