BUILDINGCOMMUNITIES
Tribal governments are
making investments
to strengthen their
communities, and to
make their economies
morediverse,
independent and
sustainable.
They arebuilding roads, sidewalks, bridges,
communications networks, transit, electric
power companies – even small hydroelectric
generatingplants.Many of theprojects aredone in
collaborationwith local governments, or the state,
and are intended tobenefit thegeneral public, as
well as tribal members.
ECONOMICDEVELOPMENT
Tribal governments acrossWashington are investing
inenterprises to create sustaining economies for
the future. Hundreds ofmillions of dollars arebeing
invested - in hotels, restaurants, entertainment
venues, tourist attractions, retail, forest products,
fisheries, agriculture, ranching, real estate
development,manufacturing, aquaculture and
more.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Washington’s tribes invest inpublic safety and
emergency services toprotect all citizens, property
and natural resources. Tribal governments pay
for critical services likepolice, courts, emergency
medical response, and firedepartments. Some
tribes providedirect services; others provide
financial support to neighboring jurisdictions.
TRANSPORTATION/UTILITIES
Washington tribes, especially those located in
rural areas, are investing in roadprojects tomake
travel safer. They often collaboratewith local
governments to jointly finance improvements
that aremutually beneficial. Tribes alsoprovide
direct transit services and also contract with local
transit agencies toprovide additional service to
their communities. Tribes are investing inwaste
water treatment facilities to allow for new housing
projects and toprotect groundwater, nearby rivers
andPuget Sound.
EDUCATION
VinceChargaualaf
VinceChargaualaf is amember of the
SuquamishTribe andhas been studying
the Lushootseed language sincehewas a
sophomore inhigh school. Vince is preparing
to study Lushootseed at theUniversity
ofOregon andeventually return to the
reservation to teach the language.
“It’s really important tomebecausewhen
I was a kidgrowing up I didn’t really have a
senseofmy cultural identity,”Vince said. “As
soon as I got involved inour song anddance,
inCanoe Journey andour language I felt a
senseof fullness.”
FormerMakahTribal ChairT.J.GreenewithWalter
Arnoldwho earned scholarships to JohnHopkins
University.
Many tribal governments provide higher
education scholarships to tribal members
of all ages. TheWashington IndianGaming
Associationprovided $90,000 in scholarships
this year to41NativeAmerican students.
TheYakamaNationhas its own electric power
company and generates hydropower from this plant.
Quil CedaVillage is ownedbyTheTulalipTribes
which is the third largest employer of local residents
inSnohomishCounty–more than5,000people now
work on the reservation.
ChehalisTribe invested inGreatWolf Lodge, an
indoorwater park inGrandMound.
Tribes have their ownpublic safety services and
also colloboratewithnearby jurisdictions toprovide
emergency services.
SponsoredNewspapers InEducationContent
| SUNDAY,
OCTOBER 16, 2016
7
