Dhu, I thoroughly agree with your position. My post 12 was only in defense of native Americans - that is, in recognition of <i>their</i> statehood.
My reference to the United States was to indicate that when this was finally formed (very late, as you say), it had got the idea of 'united' from N Americas' native Americans. I read this somewhere - here. (Naturally, this does not mean that US or Canadian nationhood can in any way be extended backwards in time to that of the native peoples of the continent. The two were entirely separate.)
<b>ADDED</b> link in the text labeled 'here'.
My reference to the United States was to indicate that when this was finally formed (very late, as you say), it had got the idea of 'united' from N Americas' native Americans. I read this somewhere - here. (Naturally, this does not mean that US or Canadian nationhood can in any way be extended backwards in time to that of the native peoples of the continent. The two were entirely separate.)
<b>ADDED</b> link in the text labeled 'here'.