It is interesting to me that original thinking comes up. If you have doubts about the ability of the tribes to understand what is happening read Chief Seattle's responses to the government about what was happening. (http://lakewood.sharpschool.net/UserFiles/Servers/Server_6066475/File/Education%20Resources/Chief%20Seattle%27s%20letter%20to%20the%20US%20Govt%20in%201852%20re%20purchase%20of%20tribal%20land.pdf).

I believe that they did know what was happening, to some degree, and were attempting to forestall the inevitable with the treaties. They were trying to preserve, to some degree their way of life, but, like all people, understood that they would eventually disappear, by decimation or becoming part of the new world order.

What they could not have anticipated was the current wealth of resources they could sell over sees, the power of gambling, and the current standard of living available to many members. Going back to original thinking would mean giving up the wide spread trade and sell of their harvest. The use wealth and political power gained through gambling, gas stations, logging, trade and other mean is surely not something they could have foreseen.

There is nothing permanent except change