I have met consultants working for FN, who I had to assume were being paid by the word. I also loved putting some onto the spot, particularly if I have been to their client's Reserve more than they had, by asking specific questions about it.
Almost all my experience is with BC bands and a bit with Treaty 8 Alberta and Yukon based FN. The current crop of leaders grew up watching their leaders fight for Rights and title. The FN's mostly won that fight, the issues facing a lot of them now are economic in nature and young population wanting jobs and buying power, but the leaders have little business experience. The bands vary greatly in their ability to respond to that challenge. Partly due to geography and partly to due to attitude. The Haisla and Kelowna Band lead the pack, followed by the Lower Mainland bands and then some of the Vancouver Island bands. In general I have a positive outlook for the bands based on the changes I have seen over the last 20 years.