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Community Investment

Preserving Culture
Enriching People
Sustaining Environment
Building Community

Enriching People

Washington’s tribal governments are making investments to improve people’s lives, especially in health care and education.  Tribes also make substantial charitable contributions and provide support to neighboring local governments.   

Health care

Caring for all members of the community, young and old, sick and well, is a high priority for Washington tribes. Tribes are building health clinics and supporting wellness activities.

Education

Tribes place the highest priority on education.  Tribal governments are building and operating early learning centers, schools, libraries and youth activity facilities throughout Washington.  Most tribes provide substantial financial support to college students.  The investment is paying off – high school graduation rates are climbing and the number of tribal members attending college is increasing. 

Charitable Giving

Under an agreement with the State of Washington, tribal governments that operate Class III gaming facilities make contributions to support charitable organizations, local governments, smoking cessation and problem gambling programs. 

In 2012, according to the latest report from the state Gambling Commission which verifies the data, the total given to charitable organizations in Washington State totaled $11.8 million.  Thousands of organizations throughout the state – from school districts to food banks to youth groups to religious organizations to performing arts – received financial aid from the tribes.  Local governments received $6.5 million in 2012 to offset the impacts of tribal gaming facilities.  Most of the money goes to first responder agencies including police, fire and emergency medical aid agencies.  Another $2.25 million was given to smoking cessation programs and $2.56 million to problem gambling programs.                

ENRICHING PEOPLE | INVESTMENTS

Educating tribal youth so that they have opportunities to succeed is a top priority for tribal governments.
Enriching LivesWashington Tribes: Colville Investing in EducationInvesting in Healthcare




 

ENRICHING PEOPLE | HIGHLIGHTS

 

Health Care

  • The new Salish Cancer Center is the first cancer care center owned by a Native nation. Click here to learn more about the facility.
  • The Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe operates Jamestown Family Health Clinic in Sequim, which employs 65 people, to provide primary health care services to Tribal citizens and non-tribal community members seeking quality care.  
  • The Kalispel Tribe of Indians' Camas Center for Community Wellness is operated by the Kalispel Tribal Government and is a comprehensive health care clinic for the tribe's members and the local community.

 

Education

  • Check out The Seattle Times “Since Time Immemorial” education section including a map of Washington’s federally-recognized tribes.
  • WIGA is proud to announce $75,000 will be awarded to 47 Native American students during the 2015-16 school year.
  • Investing in our youth - Suquamish Tribe is awarded a $980,514 grant for their early Head Start program that prepares pre-kindergarten students for school.
  • For the first time in Washington state, all students will have the opportunity to study Native American heritage and history. Click here to read more!
  • Northwest Indian College builds up the Lummi workforce by providing higher education to over 1,000 Whatcom County students.  
  • Neah Bay Elementary School wins yet another state award for their outstanding work with children.  
  • Na-ha-shnee Camp offers 23 Native American high school students the opportunity to learn life lessons and build skills in health sciences at WSU Spokane campus. Learn more about their positive impact!

    

Charitable Contributions

  • Puyallup Tribe donates $50,000 to Colville’s emergency relief fund to help repair damage after devastating wildfires.
  • "Thank you for the good that comes our way” said Tribal chairman Mel Sheldon Jr.  Tulalip Tribes has donated nearly $70 million over the last 23 years.  
  • Nisqually Indian Tribe made a $10,000 gift to the Dupont Historical Society and Museum to further its work preserving historical documents, photographs and artifacts relating to the Puget Sound area and its people! 
  • Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe and Point Casino joined together to donate over $42,000 to Alzheimer’s Association chapters in Washington state. 
  • Suquamish Tribe has donated $100,000 to the Village Green Foundation to help build a community center and library in Kingston.