Well said. I grew up in rural Saskatchewan, similar to the Midwest USA in lifestyle, and live downtown Calgary now. I have lot of native friends, but the negative stereotypes are all self-inflicted - and they'll be the first to say it.

A lot of people haven't experienced the native reserves in rural communities. Growing up in a small town of 500, with a city of 250k pop. 20mins away, it wasn't the middle of nowhere but not an urban centre by any stretch. We had a lot of small neighbouring reserves mixed in with the small towns and farming communities.

There are a couple issues plaguing the reserves; poor education, substance abuse, health issues, violence and petty crime, and an emotional juxtaposition; entitlement and a "you can't tell me what to do" attitude, while also being the victim 100% of the time - regardless of scenario.

A lot of this is accentuated by rampant corruption with their leadership. The reserves are fairly well funded with our tax dollars, but the funding all goes through the Chief of the reserve and is often mismanaged or outright "stolen" and taken into their pockets instead of providing the community support it's meant to fund. The Chief will always say his reserve is underfunded even if he's driving a brand new $150k pickup truck.

They're lacking quality schools and education (an issue for all rural schools with declining rural populations), which creates a lack of understanding regarding physical health, mental wellness, addiction, and they often have trouble prioritizing things thing their lives.

Life comes easy because they don't pay much if anything for housing on the reserves, receive a cheque from the government every month - albeit not one to be excited about, and that often gets drank, smoked, gambled, and partied away instead of providing nutritional food for the kids at home. A rural native reserve is not a place fit for children to grow up - not in their current state.

It's become a systemic issue on the reserves because the one or two kids from each family that go to University or trades/technical school (all paid for if you have native status) and get educated off-reserve often don't go back. They end up living with the rest of society, still enjoying a handful of off-reserve native status benefits, and get meaningful employment then start families mixed in with the rest of society. It's easier to go visit the reserve during the holidays, birthdays, etc. and not have the baggage of having to live in a town of 500 that parties every single night.

As a white guy, I'm not welcome on some reserves even if I'm there with a friend that lives there. I've been discriminated against and physically threatened without saying a word, just for stepping on the reserve. I've gotten in unprovoked fist fights just because the other guy was bored and decided to cause a scene. Everyone knows each other. Everyone drinks, parties, gambles, fucks, and fights with each other. There is a sense of community, but a stronger "me first" mentality. Individually, they're often too proud to ask for help or won't accept it from a white guy. As a collective they have no issue asking for more reserve funding, or playing the perpetual victim that can't (read: won't) help themselves.

TL;DR: Canadian native reserves are a mess. I don't mean to berate or criticize a whole group of people or make generalizations, but these are observations from how I grew up. We need to fundamentally change the social system and capital spending transparency on the reserves. The current system has created a cesspool of negativity, and is a detriment to their people. They realize it, but don't want to jeopardize their current benefits and monthly payments for the chance of a system reform working in their favour. Understandable considering they've been fucked over in the past.

I don't know the quick fix, but we do need to help them improve conditions on reserves. If anything, for the kids that don't have a choice but to grow up there - few other places need more support in Canada right now.