TRIBES: Time for aid to end

My teenage daughter once asked me why it was that in world history a conquered nation was incorporated into the conquering nation, but when it came to American history, the Native Americans were treated differently: For more than 100 years they have received aid from the U.S. government. And I had no rational answer.

After reading Wednesday's front page, I felt embarrassed, even though I'm not a Native American. Chief Allan seemed to insinuate that the American Indian couldn't make it on his own without government assistance. This is the same approach that the NAACP takes. Isn't it time for people of all ethnic groups to say, "Give me a hand up, and I will take over for the rest?"

DALE HEDMAN

Hayden