The reason scrib, why native americans are required to prove ancestry is to eliminate the hangers on that will try to claim indian ancestry to milk benefits from the government.

I grew up in a middle class family.....not rich, but but not destitute. The only thing I have taken from the government was my G.I. Bill from my tour in the Marines.

As far as Columbus...well...there have been many civilizations that could be looked upon in retrospect as being a bad dude or a evil figure. The romans, the celts, the mongols, the crusaders etc...to look back on history with hindsight is an easy thing to do. I have accepted the country as the way it is and made my way. You can only claim the "victim" mentality for so long. After that you have to do for yourself.